Understanding Homelessness

Homelessness describes the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of system or social barriers, a lack of affordable or appropriate housing, the individual’s/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, stressful and distressing. People can be pushed into homelessness by a variety of factors — the loss of a job, mental illness, addictions, family violence or abuse, and extreme poverty. A report by the Canadian Homelessness Research Network (CHRN) and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, indicated the following: At least 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness in any given year, At least 30,000 Canadians are homeless on any given night, and At least 50,000 Canadians are part of the "hidden homeless" on any given night — staying with friends or relatives on a temporary basis as they have nowhere else to go. Who are these individuals or families that are homeless? While the homeless can come from any group, single adult males account for almost half the homeless population while youth between the ages of 16 and 24 account for 20 per cent of the homeless. Aboriginal people are over-represented among the homeless in almost every urban centre in Canada, with the over-representation growing dramatically the more one heads west and north. Many more are increasingly vulnerable. It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million of Canada's 12 million households — those with low incomes and who are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing — are at risk of becoming homeless. Brenda Lanigan, Program Administrator for The Hope Centre in Welland, puts a human face on the story of homelessness. She presents a view of the people she works with on a daily basis and she provides our distress centre call responders with a picture of the issues they are dealing with. Brenda’s presentation provides a perspective on the needs of those who are homeless. She emphasizes the importance of listening to their needs and responding appropriately. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. It is helpful to have an understanding of who make up the homeless population, and consider also those who are at-risk of becoming homeless. Who are the homeless in Canada and where do they stay? According to a Canada government study, some groups are more likely to be homeless than others. 2013 statistics show the following: Single adult males between the ages of 25 and 55 account for almost half the homeless population (47.5 per cent). Youth between the ages of 16 and 24 account for 20 per cent of the homeless. An estimated 25 to 40 per cent of homeless youth are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or transgender. Aboriginal people are over-represented among the homeless in almost every urban centre in Canada, with the over-representation growing dramatically the more one heads west and north. Of the 30,000 homeless on any given night: 2,880 are unsheltered (on the street). 14,400 are staying in emergency shelters. 7,350 are staying in violence-against-women shelters 4,464 are in hospitals, jails or other interim facilities. Source: The State of Homelessness in Canada, 2013 People often call the distress centre and present a variety of issues that they are experiencing. Is there a way of determining if someone is at risk of being homeless? There are warning signs of people struggling with poverty, high housing costs, and poor nutrition that may indicate a risk of homelessness. Some families are struggling to meet their basic needs and live with great insecurity regarding food and shelter. Individual factors that can contribute to homelessness include: deep poverty, mental or physical illness, addiction, trauma, abuse, lack of education and a lack of supportive relationships.Homelessness is usually the result of an accumulative impact of a variety of factors rather than a single cause. It is important to get a broader understanding of the person who finds him or herself homeless within the context of family distress. So, what is the experience of the youth who are homeless? And how do the experiences of youth differ from those of adults who are homeless? In the final report of Beyond the Street, 2006, the situation of homeless youth was described as follows: the vast majority of youth have not completed high school which limits opportunities to secure training and employment as well as accessible, affordable and suitable housing. Many have experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, violence and substance abuse, mental illness and family instability. Street-involved youth have a different experience of homelessness than do adults. They are more vulnerable to exploitation from adults and from their peers. Anxiety is fairly often reported as a debilitating condition – and living on the street is stressful. Although, many have left home lives that are more unstable and complicated than the street. Glossary: Homelessness – describes the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. At Risk of Homeless – People who are not homeless but whose current economic and/or housing situation is precarious and does not meet public health and safety standards. Couch Surfing – the practice of temporarily staying with friends, relatives or others because they have nowhere else to live and no immediate prospect of permanent housing; can be referred to as the ‘hidden homeless’.