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Jurisdictional scan: Strategies to support homeless 2SLGBTQ+ communities

A white ceramic model of a home on a like blue background with a rainbow ribbon draped over the top.

Evidence shows 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Canada experience higher rates of homelessness. They face unique barriers to housing, and there are major gaps in the ability of housing and service providers to offer the supports they need. 

In an effort to help cities address the issue, Wellesley Institute reviewed 27 current and forthcoming municipal-led or supported strategies, policies and initiatives across Canada – in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax. 

This jurisdictional scan found local governments can and do play a significant role. It provides a foundation from which future initiatives – including specialized shelters and housing support programs, data collection efforts, and training tools and programs – can be developed.

Strategies to Support Homeless 2SLGBTQ+ Communities - A jurisdictional scanDownload report
Mauriene Tolentino

Mauriene Tolentino

Mauriene Tolentino (they/them) is a researcher at the Wellesley Institute. Their work focuses on mental health, climate resilience and access to health, particularly as experienced by racialized, migrant, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Grounded in a public policy lens, Mauriene’s research aims to inform systems-level change that addresses structural barriers to health and well-being. Mauriene holds a Master of Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, with a specialization in Women and Gender Studies and Public Health Policy. Before joining Wellesley Institute, their work supported government and community-driven work to advance health equity through research, policy analyses, and programs centered on mental health, emergency preparedness and access to care.

Rishika Wadehra

Rishika Wadehra

Rishika Wadehra was a Policy Officer at Wellesley Institute from 2023 to 2025. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining Wellesley Institute, she completed a fellowship at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and worked as a research assistant at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Global Social Policy, where she researched how different regions have responded to the growing demands for care work and its implications on gender inequality, racialization, the labour market and population health.