The Navigator Program, launched at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital in 2019 and expanded to Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital in 2023, supports homeless patients navigating the healthcare system. The program addresses the cycle of hospital readmissions often experienced by people without stable housing, who are typically discharged without essentials like a phone, ID, or support network. Outreach counsellors, or “navigators,” provide personalized care for up to 90 days post-discharge, helping clients access shelter, permanent housing, medical care, and vital services.
April Aleman, a navigator in Toronto, assists vulnerable patients like her 82-year-old client, who became homeless after being discharged from hospital on Christmas Day. Thanks to the program, the woman now lives in senior housing and receives consistent care. In Vancouver, navigator Alex MacKinnon helped a frequent emergency room visitor secure housing and significantly reduce hospital visits.
The program was founded by Dr. Stephen Hwang after research showed 27% of homeless patients were readmitted within 90 days, many for the same condition. Early results from a controlled trial involving 656 participants show promise, with 67% of patients in need successfully matched with a family doctor. Funded by hospital foundations and partners like Staples Canada, Navigator is proving that personalized, compassionate outreach can break cycles of homelessness and poor health.
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