Last month, A Way Home Kamloops set the lofty goal of ending youth homelessness by January of 2021, but there are a number of road blocks in the way before that can happen.

Eliminating homelessness among the city’s young people by the end of the year is a little unrealistic admitted A Way Home’s Executive Director, Katherine McParland.

While she was speaking to Jason Hewlett on Radio NL, she was asked what needs to happen to get the ball rolling. “Addressing the youth housing affordability crisis. So, young people are recommending the province develop distinct housing options but are specific to youth.”

“Some youths said it was unsafe to be place in supportive housing programs with adults that have been on the streets their whole lives and so youth are calling out for housing that meets their developmental needs.”

McParland also said a number of things need to be overhauled. “We need to look at the foster care system. Agreements with young adults needs to be accessible for all youth aging out.”

“We need to improve the investigation process and reduce the number of moves of young people in care so they can find permanency and stability.”

“We need supports that recreate the family privilege that many young people have.”

“Youth said that some of their supports are always paid and they require natural supports, people that are going to create that social safety network so that when they age out of care, that there are people that are going to catch them and reduce their risk of homelessness.”

They plan to bring a panel of young people that have lived through homelessness to meet with the province in the fall.

McParland hopes that will be a milestone moment in developing their plan.