Introduction: This 12-month pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) built on previous community-engaged work and explored whether portable rent subsidies and an intervention targeting identity capital (purpose, control, self-efficacy, and self-esteem) hold promise as a way to facilitate socioeconomic inclusion for youth (age 16 - 24 years) exiting homelessness and living in market rent housing in Ontario, Canada. All (n = 40) participants received rent subsidies; half were randomly assigned an identity capital intervention (co-designed leadership guide + coach). Methods and analysis: This study employed a convergent mixed methods, two-arm parallel RCT, open-label design with 1:1 allocation embedded within a Community Based Participatory Action Research framework and underpinned by Critical Social Theory. Specifically, the objectives and measures were: 1. Primary - to examine whether targeted economic and identity-based supports are a feasible and acceptable way to foster socioeconomic inclusion. Measures: recruitment/enrolment/dropout metrics; self-report composite checklists regarding intervention engagement; coaching session attendance; qualitative focus groups. 2. Secondary - to assess differences between targeted economic and identity-based supports (intervention group) and economic supports only (control group) at the 12-month primary endpoint with respect to self-reported socioeconomic inclusion measures of: 1) education, employment and training (EET); 2) housing security; and 3) identity capital. Measures: self-report composite EET checklist; self-report measures of housing security and identity capital. 3. Exploratory - to explore whether the estimated effect of the intervention differed by baseline variables or level of engagement with the intervention. Measures: select variables from the baseline demographic questionnaire; GAIN-Short Screener questionnaire for those in the intervention group. Ethics and dissemination: This study received ethical approval from the Unity Health Toronto Research Ethics Board. The investigators will continue working alongside community partners - including youth with lived expertise - to disseminate findings broadly and in diverse formats.
Age range
16 Years – 24 Years
Sex
ALL
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The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Intervention Over 12 Months (Measured by Recruitment, Enrolment, and Dropout Metrics)
Timeframe: Assessed at baseline and 12-months.
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Intervention Over 12 Months (Informed by Qualitative Data From Focus Groups)
Timeframe: Assessed at 4-months, 8-months, and 12-months.
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Intervention Over 12 Months (Measured by Coaching Session Attendance Over 12 Months)
Timeframe: Assessed at 12-months.
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Intervention Over 12 Months (Measured by the Intervention Engagement Questionnaire)
Timeframe: Assessed at 4-months, 8-months, and 12-months.