Concept

Amplify Youth Voice

Building Home offers a glimpse into the world of youth housing. You are welcome to walk through house-like structures and immerse yourself in what youth from a HF4Y program have highlighted as impactful elements of their housing journeys. Youth are taking charge of their narratives and sharing what they feel is important for their communities to know about the experiences of housing precarity in Saint John. Come join us and learn more about the housing challenges that influence youth and the solutions that are available to them. This project signals the importance youth have in our city, and our commitment to build better futures for young people across the city and the province.

A Collaborative Approach

This project started as a research initiative where we held one-on-one interviews with youth in a HF4Y program to capture what they felt was important to share about their lives before and after engaging in a housing program. From there, the TRC was awarded a grant from the National Housing Strategy Fund from CMHC. With this grant, we put together an interdisciplinary team made up of artists, youth experts, case managers, and researchers to transform the housing experiences that had been shared with us into an art installation that pushes for change in our city. 

Art as Social Action

Throughout a series of sessions with youth, we have been able to check-in and make sure that what is important to their experiences are properly represented. Youth have the ability to provide feedback, make decisions over what is included and how it gets represented, and get involved in the creation of the installation. We are working together to respect the stories that youth have shared with us and bring these ideas to life. 

In all, this project aims to alleviate stigma and promote advocacy for better housing options for youth. It promotes housing as a basic-need and a human right. It highlights the importance of understanding the experiences of youth who struggle with homelessness and housing precarity.  It leverages our partnerships to promote youth voice and holds youth housing and support programs to higher standards.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR

Our Partners

A sincere thank you to all our partners for helping bring this project to life. Your contributions show support for youth across the province.