Refugee pathways out of homelessness in urban Alberta, Canada: implications for social justice-oriented counselling
Abstract
The study explores the challenges faced by refugees and how social justice-oriented counselling can help them overcome these challenges. The research involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 refugees who had experienced homelessness. The findings reveal that refugees face multiple challenges, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources. Social justice-oriented counselling was found to be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life. The study offers insights into how counselling can be tailored to meet the unique needs of refugees and promote social justice.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified:
- There is a lack of research on the experiences of refugees who have experienced homelessness in urban areas of Canada.
- Need for more research on the effectiveness of social justice-oriented counselling in addressing the unique needs of refugees who have experienced homelessness.
- There is a need for more research on the role of systemic and structural barriers in creating and perpetuating homelessness among refugees.
- Addressing these research gaps can help inform advocacy efforts, policy change, and client empowerment interventions to improve refugee housing outcomes after migration.
Key findings:
- Refugees face multiple challenges in accessing housing, including language barriers, lack of social support, and limited access to resources.
- Social justice-oriented counselling can be effective in helping refugees overcome these challenges and find a better life.
- Refugees who have experienced homelessness have unique needs that require tailored counselling interventions.
- Systemic and structural barriers play a significant role in creating and perpetuating homelessness among refugees.
- Advocacy efforts, policy change, and client empowerment interventions can help improve refugee housing outcomes after migration.
Location: Alberta in general
Community organizations:
Integration timeline: not indicated
Key populations:
- Refugees who have experienced homelessness and subsequently settled for at least 6 months
Key recommendations:
- There is a need for more research on the experiences of refugees who have experienced homelessness in urban areas of Canada.
- Social justice-oriented counselling should be tailored to the unique needs of refugees who have experienced homelessness.
- Advocacy efforts should focus on addressing systemic and structural barriers that create and perpetuate homelessness among refugees.
- Policy change is needed to improve access to affordable housing and support services for refugees.
- Client empowerment interventions should be developed to help refugees navigate the complex systems of support and services available to them.
Open access: No
