NEXT STEPS HOUSING
oneROOF Youth Services Supportive Housing Program:
Next Steps Housing
Next Steps Housing is a Supportive Housing building, run by oneROOF Youth Services. Supportive Housing is a highly effective strategy that combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services. Based on the Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model, this youth-specific living and learning environment strives to guide its residents into their own self-determination.
The Housing First approach is all about ending homelessness with housing. It focuses on moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing as a first step in ending the cycle of homelessness.
Housing First is a rights-based intervention rooted in the philosophy that all people deserve housing, and that adequate housing is a prerequisite for recovery.
Housing First for Youth can be adapted to not only serve as an intervention model but also a prevention model — supporting young people leaving harmful family homes, corrections or mental health facilities. The core principles are…
A right to housing with no preconditions.
Youth choice, youth voice and self-determination.
Positive development and wellness orientation.
Individualized supports with no time limits.
Social inclusion and community integration.
Next Steps Housing: The Program
The Next Steps Housing program pairs independence with a mix of helpful in-house and community resources. 24/7 on-site staffing allows for quick supportive action if necessary, which cultivates a sense of security for residents.
Weekly Programming for Tenants
COOKING CLASS
WALK GROUP
BEAUTY + SELF CARE
COFFEE TIME
ADDICTIONS SUPPORT
What To Expect
YOUTH GOAL PLANNING
WEEKLY ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT WITH PRIMARY WORKER
BI-WEEKLY UNIT INSPECTIONS
FOCUS ON HOUSING RETENTION
6 MONTHS OF MOVE-ON SUPPORT
Your Rights
REASONABLE PRIVACY
FREEDOM FROM DISTURBANCE
ENJOYMENT OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Your Responsibilities
PAYING YOUR RENT ON TIME
KEEPING YOUR UNIT CLEAN
THE BEHAVIOUR OF YOUR GUESTS
REPAIRING ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY YOU AND/OR YOUR GUESTS
Next Steps Housing: The Building
This building was constructed in partnership with John MacDonald Architecture & Ball Construction. It has created 44 single studio units for youth experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region, including 15 units focused on housing those with mental health or addiction issues, and 4 units reserved for Indigenous youth.
Building Features
44 SINGLE STUDIO UNITS
COIN-OPERATED, ON-SITE LAUNDRY
COMMUNITY BUILDING AREAS
REGULAR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
EASY ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES: EDUCATION, SHOPPING, PUBLIC TRANSIT, ETC.
Unit Features
FULLY FURNISHED
PRIVATE BATHROOM
COOKTOP, FRIDGE & MICROWAVE
