REST Centers are working hard for young black people in Peel Region experiencing homelessness

Tayiha Brown, 22, credits REST Centres, a Peel agency that aims to lift BIPOC youth out of housing insecurity, helping them turn their lives around, which she said was marked by instability and conflict at home.

Despite being an A-level student and working from the age of 14, she would eventually leave school.

“It got pretty hard as life got older because I didn’t have anyone to fall back on,” she said.

By the time she was 18, Brown had left home, hanging out on the couch at her best friends’ houses, while still occasionally returning to her parents’ house.

She eventually sought help through Peel Region and was referred to REST (Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition) in June.

“As soon as I was introduced to REST, REST was able to help me get back on my feet when it comes to school, when it comes to life,” she said.

He is now back in school and living in stable housing.

Brown’s story illustrates the critical role that REST plays in Peel Region, where rising housing costs and systemic inequities have left young people – particularly those of color – disproportionately vulnerable to homelessness.

Founded in 2015, REST supports young people aged 16 to 24 with services that extend well beyond housing. In 2023, the organization hosted 52 young people and provided additional support to more than 100 other young people. The centers have an office in Brampton and another in Mississauga.

“We’re not just focused on getting young people off the streets,” said REST Executive Director Dagma Koyi. “We want to help them thrive.”

As of November 2024 Rentals.ca Rent Report, Mississauga is the fifth most expensive mid-sized city to rent an apartment in Canada, with an average rent of $2,593. In November 2024, the median rent for a one bedroom in Brampton is approximately $2,252, reflecting a 13% increase over the previous year.

For REST clients, most of whom earn less than $10,000 annually, these numbers highlight an almost impossible housing challenge. In addition to affordability, stigma also plays a role.

“Landlords are often hesitant to rent to young people, especially young people of color, because of stereotypes and misconceptions,” said Janin Bartholomew, the organization’s landlord engagement specialist. “They think young people will damage their homes, throw parties or use drugs.”

Brown faced these barriers. “A lot of times, owners don’t trust me because I’m 22 years old. They don’t trust young adults,” she said.

The government supported her in finding a home, but on the condition that she find her own place within a set time. When there were two days left and she still hadn’t found a place, REST stepped in and made sure she was housed that same week.

“As soon as you tell them something, they get down to business right away … they don’t keep you waiting,” she said. REST even facilitated communications with the owner to ensure a smooth transition to her new home.

To address barriers, REST acts as a lead service when young people are looking for housing, communicating with landlords on behalf of young people. Owners have access to a call that would allow the owner’s employment coordinator to step in and resolve any potential issues with a customer. There were cases where young people couldn’t pay the rent, so REST would step in to pay on their behalf.

“So this kind of support helps landlords feel more secure when they’re offering their space,” Koyi said.

In addition, REST offers tenant literacy programs — which teach young people how to have good relationships with their landlords, as well as understand their rights as tenants. They also offer financial education programs.

REST operates under four pillars: shelter, housing support, healing and growth, which aim to address the underlying factors that contribute to homelessness while giving young people the tools to build independent futures.

One such initiative is the Family Reunification and Intervention Management (FIRM) program, which provides culturally responsive counseling to help families address conflicts before they escalate.

“Many of our clients come from fractured families,” Koyi said. “By intervening early, we hope to reduce the number of youth entering homelessness.”

REST also provides emergency food assistance, transportation support and household items to address the immediate and critical needs of vulnerable youth.

The organization provides culturally sensitive counseling to help address the mental health challenges that often accompany homelessness.

For Brown, this support was transformative.

“I was really at the lowest point of my life when I just didn’t care about life,” she said. Through REST counseling programs, she learned to cope with depression and regain her confidence.

“Even though I’m sad now, I know I’ll never be that sad again because of the things I learned in their program,” she said.

Each meeting with her assistant or counselor left her feeling hopeful and motivated.

“When I first got into REST, my case manager told me that no matter what, she was there for me. That melted my heart. Finally, someone cares about my life,” Brown said.

REST staff also mentioned that for a group of siblings who had lost both parents, REST provided a lifeline. The organization housed the three sisters together and taught them how to navigate life without parental guidance — everything from cooking to paying bills.

“Stories like this are a testament to the great work we do,” Koyi said.

Homelessness in Peel Region is not evenly distributed.

According to the 2021 point count, black people made up 23.5% of Peel’s homeless population, despite making up only 9.5% of the general population. Additionally, 16-24 year olds made up 16% of those experiencing homelessness in the region.

REST leaders point to systemic barriers to housing, education and employment as major contributors. “These factors are all interconnected,” Koyi said.

REST staff stepped in to support young people in schools, particularly those whose education had been interrupted.

“Because REST exists, we are able to take someone from complete distress and give them an option, give them a way out, give them a place of REST,” said Jacqui Henry, case manager of Brown at REST.

However, the organization faces challenges. REST’s chief operating officer, Ben Bempah, said the organization is underfunded, with most grants tied to specific projects rather than overall operational needs.

“There is no core funding,” Bempah said. “We’re stretched thin and it’s a constant struggle to meet the growing demand.”

REST leaders say more equitable funding strategies and a human rights-based approach to housing are critical to addressing youth homelessness. Koyi said that when addressing homelessness, the three levels of government must collect data on who is most vulnerable.

“Then we need to have a more equitable strategy in how we fund the groups to ensure that the communities that face the most barriers get meaningful support,” Koyi said.

“Housing is a human right,” she added. “By supporting youth and supporting youth homelessness, we’re also making sure our communities stay safe.”

To create a culturally sensitive environment, REST ensures that it has representation in its staff. Staff with shared lived experiences foster a unique connection with the youth they serve, creating spaces of trust and understanding.

“For example, I’m an immigrant, I also faced challenges when I came to Canada,” Koyi said. “Having that lived experience and seeing it firsthand in your community is what further fuels the passion for greater advocacy.”

This shared identity can have a significant impact on how young people engage with support programs. For program manager Riegel Smith, the connection he formed with a young client who shared his Jamaican heritage was especially meaningful.

“We were connected culturally — through food, through background, through so many things we had in common,” Smith said. That connection allowed Smith to provide support that felt personal, not just professional. “They felt like family.”

Smith recalls preparing a special meal for the customer after a discussion about his favorite dishes, a gesture that made the young man feel seen and appreciated amid immense challenges. “That made me feel good,” Smith said. “When they see all these barriers and all these challenges, they were able to get a special table that they really liked.”

Unfortunately, this young man’s story ended tragically – after meeting the wrong crowd, they overdosed.

“It was sad. It’s a connection I’ll never forget,” Smith said.

Despite the challenges, REST staff remain committed to their work.

Moving forward, Smith draws strength from the daily successes he witnesses at REST. Whether it’s helping a young person get an ID, access food, or return to school, every win—no matter how small—reminds them of the impact of their work. “He gives me this unit. It gives me that fulfillment,” Smith said.

Henry recalls the impact of helping a young man who REST finished high school and helped secure housing. When he graduated from high school, he had no family to celebrate with, so she was the only person in the audience to cheer him on.

“It’s moments like these that remind me why we do this,” she said.

As Peel Region continues to grapple with rising housing costs and systemic inequities, REST is vital support for some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

For Brown, REST’s constant support has been life-changing. “Many of the goals I have for myself this year have actually been accomplished thanks to REST. They were behind me, pushing me and motivating me forward,” she said.

She has a message for other struggling youth in Peel Region: “Don’t give up. No matter how long it takes.”

REST is funded by various sources, including government grants, private donations and partnerships with community organizations. At-risk youth can get involved in the center either through self-reporting or through an agency.