Tools such as Upstream are designed to help schools identify hidden homelessness and early risk more systematically, rather than relying only on visible crisis or informal concern.
Source: Homeless Hub Upstream collection
What it does
Upstream approaches use school-community partnerships and structured screening to identify risk connected to housing instability, wellbeing, family conflict, and school disengagement.
Why it matters
A young person may still be attending school while privately navigating housing precarity. Systematic early identification reduces reliance on crisis visibility.
Quebec relevance
Quebec should consider upstream approaches if it wants prevention to happen before youth enter adult homelessness pathways.
What remains
Any implementation must protect privacy, avoid stigma, and connect screening to real supports.
Related research
Publications
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