The Nipissing Homelessness Partnership (NHP) has identified that youths aged 16 and 17 who are unable to live with their parents/guardians are increasingly vulnerable to becoming homeless due to an insufficient supply of affordable rental housing in North Bay and surrounding District. The demand for rental housing is expected to increase before new housing is developed and this will continue to put increased pressure on this marginalized population. Furthermore, this youth population faces a number of additional challenges and service requirements due to mental health and addiction problems, exposure to abuse and family violence, lack of employment opportunities and/or having been in conflict with the law.

Consequently, in the Spring of 2008 it was determined by the NHP that a thorough analysis of the needs of homeless and at-risk youth should be undertaken to identify gaps in service and to develop an action plan to create transitional housing and support services for this target population. To this end, the firm of Summit Consulting was retained in July 2008 to formally commence work on completing this needs assessment project.