At-Risk Youth Initiative

The Halton Police Foundation and the Halton Police Board are exploring the development of an At-Risk Youth Transitional Housing and Wellness Centre in Halton.

This Centre would provide safe, short- to medium-term housing combined with integrated supports to help young people stabilize and transition toward independence.

The need is both urgent and growing:

• More than 50% of Ontario youth report significant psychological distress
• Nearly 1 in 6 youth seriously consider suicide each year
• Approximately 32% of individuals experiencing homelessness in Halton are under 25

There are currently not enough appropriate shelter and support options for youth in Halton, leaving many without the care they need at critical moments.

The Centre would support at-risk youth who may be:

• Experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Facing mental health challenges
• In unstable or unsafe living situations
• Disconnected from school, employment, or family supports

This is not just a housing solution. It is an integrated, wrap-around model of care that would combine critical supports such as:

• Safe transitional housing
• Mental health and wellness services
• Education and employment pathways
• Family mediation
• Mentorship and life skills programming

This integrated approach addresses both immediate needs and root causes.

Halton has strong youth-serving agencies doing important work. This initiative is designed to:

• Fill a critical gap in housing and integrated supports
• Complement, not duplicate existing services
• Strengthen coordination across the system

Collaboration with community partners is a core principle.

A strategic roundtable is being convened in spring 2026 to:

• Validate the need
• Gather input from stakeholders
• Incorporate perspectives from individuals with lived experience

Ongoing engagement will ensure the model reflects community priorities.

Both organizations are providing leadership in:

• Advancing the vision
• Convening partners and stakeholders
• Supporting early planning and exploration

This reflects a shared commitment to upstream, preventative solutions that improve community safety and well-being.

To bring this initiative to life it would be supported through a combination of:

• Philanthropic contributions 
• Potential government funding
• Community partnerships

The initiative is in the early planning and exploration phase, including:

• Validating community need
• Engaging stakeholders
• Exploring the model and potential scope

Success would be measured through outcomes such as:

• Reduction in youth homelessness
• Improved mental health and well-being
• Increased engagement in education and employment
• Successful transitions to stable, long-term housing
• Reduced strain on emergency and social systems
• Improved lifelong outcomes 

Updates on this important initiative will be shared through this section of the Halton Police Foundation website and other relevant platforms.