The University of Ottawa bestowed an Honorary Doctorate upon Dr. Sam Tsemberis, an esteemed psychologist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions in combating homelessness. The ceremony, held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, recognized Dr. Tsemberis’ outstanding impact on addressing homelessness among individuals with mental health and addiction challenges.
Dr. Tsemberis, a Canadian-born clinical and community psychiatrist, is widely acknowledged as the architect of the globally acclaimed “Housing First” model. This evidence-based program, aimed at ending chronic homelessness for those with mental health issues and substance use disorders, has been successfully implemented in various countries, including Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Expressing gratitude for the honor, Dr. Tsemberis emphasized the importance of political will in ending homelessness for individuals with psychiatric disabilities in Canada. As the CEO of the Pathways Housing First Institute and a faculty member at UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Tsemberis has tirelessly advocated for providing stable housing as a fundamental step toward recovery for those battling mental health challenges.
The impact of Dr. Tsemberis’ work has been profound, stemming from his personal interactions with the homeless population in the United States, which culminated in the development of the transformative “Housing First” model. His extensive research, published in scientific journals, has demonstrated the critical role of secure housing in the recovery journey of individuals with mental health conditions.
Highlighting the effectiveness of the Housing First approach, Tim Aubry, a Full Professor at uOttawa’s School of Psychology, stated, “The Canadian At Home / Chez Soi study showed through rigorous research the Pathways model of Housing First developed by Dr. Sam Tsemberis can end chronic homelessness for most people.”
The need for innovative solutions to combat homelessness remains pressing, especially with over 32,000 individuals considered homeless in Canada, a number that has risen since the onset of the pandemic. Dr. Susan Farrell, Executive Director of CMHA Ottawa, expressed gratitude to the University of Ottawa for recognizing Dr. Tsemberis’ visionary contributions, particularly during a time of housing and homelessness emergency in Ottawa.
Dr. Tsemberis’ dedication to addressing homelessness extends to his role as the Executive Director of the UCLA-VA Center of Excellence for Training and Research on Veterans Homelessness and Recovery. His unwavering commitment has earned him accolades, including the Meritorious Service Cross from the Government of Canada.
The University of Ottawa’s recognition of Dr. Tsemberis underscores the significance of his transformative work in reshaping approaches to homelessness, inspiring hope for a future where stable housing is a reality for all individuals facing mental health challenges.
