About Homelessness - Information
Homelessness in Canada continues to be a crisis without much of an audience. It is a problem that is seen only if you want to see it, but is generally hidden in back lanes, under bridges, and in derelict hotels.
To conjure up firm statistics on homelessness is a feat unto itself. There have been very few attempts to count the homeless at both local and national levels. Of course the difficulty remains in the transient nature of the homeless.
Who are the homeless?
Everyday, thousands of homeless people in Canada struggle to survive. Most of us who are not homeless have family, friends & colleagues around us who are there when we are having a difficult time. We have people in our lives that admire & respect us. We have people to encourage us when we are unsure. We are surrounded by people who will care for us if we are in need, if we are unwell. Imagine life without these people. What a lonely, frightening and difficult life we would be forced to live.
The Homeless are: low income single mothers, battered women with children, workers displaced by economic change, runaway youths, and abused youngsters, elderly people on fixed incomes, those who suffer physical, mental health disabilities, substance abusers, people who are transient as a result of seasonal work, domestic strife, recent immigrants and First Nations that have migrated to the city in order to find work and escape problems, and they are also ex-prisoners.*
Homeless youth suffer from more injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health problems and pregnancies. These homeless young people are often considered the ‘hidden homeless’. Many are living in shelters or bunking with friends - many are fleeing from abusive situations.
While 20 years ago the largest homeless population was older men, it has now shifted to young men, with the average age being 29.
Women now make up the most vulnerable group to becoming homeless. They generally earn less than men and have children to raise.
They are people who are continuously on the move, haunted and hunted, hiding from themselves and the personal shame that society has attached to them, or hiding from society as a whole.*
Questions About the Homeless
How many people are homeless in Canada?
It’s difficult to know for sure, but many thousands of men, women and children are homeless across the country.
Where do homeless people sleep?
Outside in the summer, but in a few available emergency shelters in winter if they can. These may be full, so they sleep in garages, parkades, under bridges, in doorways – wherever some shelter can be found.
Are people homeless because they don’t have enough money to live somewhere?
Money is part of the problem. Other issues that homeless people struggle with are addictions, abuse, illiteracy, and mental or emotional illness.
Don’t government programs take care of homeless people?
Welfare provides very little food, clothing and other basic neccessities. Private relief agencies help, but demands are growing.
What do homeless people need to have a better life?
They really need people and agencies that will give them help, hope, healing and teaching.
What do homeless people have in common with us?
Like us, all homeless people were once children who dreamed of nice lives and important jobs when they grew up. None of them ever wanted to be homeless. Sadly, life has not turned out that way. They need our help.
What causes homelessness?
Many factors contribute to the increase in Canada’s homeless community. Some consistent items include high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth. The breakdown of family units, along with family violence is an increasing reasons women are leaving their homes with their children. One final reason is the closure and overcrowding of mental institutions, leaving many patients on the streets to fend for themselves.
Demoralizing
Not having a permanent address, or living in downtown hotels makes applying for jobs embarrassing and socially isolates individuals from the rest of society. The longer anyone remains homeless, the greater the social and economic costs.
Homelessness and poverty is a lack of opportunity and a lack of freedom. It is hunger and malnutrition, disease and lack of basic social services. It degrades people – those who suffer it, and those who tolerate it.
IT is the gravest insult to human dignity.*
*author Art Voth
FOR EVERY CHILD A BETTER WORLD - Hannah Taylor, Agape Table Newsletter Autumn 2007
