ipl-logo

Homelessness In Canada Essay

377 Words2 Pages

Canada must strengthen the safety net, intended to protect the vulnerable, to aid those with the most significant needs (Muckle et al., 2006; Bradford, 2009). Sheltering homeless individuals have been a part of Canada’s strategy to end homelessness. According to the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System, there are 1,128 emergency shelters with over 25,000 beds in Canada (Echenberg et al., 2005). Although it is a crucial part of the solution, there are indications that it is ineffective as the only solution (Jencks, 1994; Baum, 2007). It is inefficient because many homeless individuals suffer from mental or physical disabilities and require long-term rehabilitation services rather than short-term housing to escape homelessness (Muckle et al., 2006). …show more content…

Canadians were concerned in response to the federal government’s announcement to cut back their homelessness funding program (Muckle et al., 2006). Although charities can play an excellent aiding role, it is ultimately the role of the government of Canada to aid its citizens. Charitable groups cannot be relied upon to create and implement a clear and adequate national policy for the homeless in Canada (Muckle et al., 2006; Gerdes, 2007). A further strategy to prevent and aid individuals at risk of homelessness is the increase of the welfare payment value. The consistent cutbacks of welfare since the 1980’s has mirrored in the rising rates of homelessness (Cassola, 2006). A growing number of the public is at risk of becoming homeless because of the inability to pay the large percentage of their income for housing (Think Student Canada, 2009). Welfare is among the most substantial investment for Canada’s future as a stable and prosperous society (Jencks, 1994). The increase of funds may seem costly and undesirable; nevertheless, the rights of the homeless should take precedence over the financing of the solution (Hwang,

Show More
Related
294 Words | 2 Pages

Dennis P. Culhane’s “path-breaking” study of turnover rates in shelters in New York City and Philadelphia, which produced an unduplicated count of the actual number of homeless people in city shelter systems over a period of time, revealed that three percent of Philadelphia’s population used the public shelter system between 1990 and 1992, and that three percent of New York’s population received shelter during the same period. The work of Culhane’s and others conclusively demonstrated that homelessness was a much more widespread problem than the government had previously acknowledged. A recent study now estimates that between 700,000 to 800,000 people are homeless each night and that between 2.3 to 3.5 million people are homeless each year.

Read More
639 Words | 3 Pages

Family homelessness continue to be a one of the most ubiquitous social problems in Canada. Most people believe that homelessness is reflective of men and women living on the streets of large cities with a shopping cart, carting their belongings while asking society for spear change. Most people don’t see the families and children that are affected by homelessness in our society. Homelessness is not only defined by people that are living on the streets but also by families, women and children living in their vehicles, stay with friends or families; these are people who do not have a home of their own. McChesney stated in her journal article Family Homelessness: A Systemic Problem, that “homelessness is… the number of households living below

Read More
677 Words | 3 Pages

Homelessness is an unsolved issue occurring day to day, worldwide. What the main focus of this essay will be are the homeless youth in Canada dealing with drug addiction and substance use. Homelessness is a rising problem here in Canada, there are 10,000 homeless youth on the street, a guaranteed 2000 on any given night. There are so many different aspects you have to deal with along being homeless, not only are they living life on the streets without a shelter, food or money, but the challenges they face daily just adds to it. They face physical abuse, verbal abuse, police brutality, weather changes, starvation, stress, addictions, mental illness, and other various problems.

Read More
1180 Words | 5 Pages

Since homelessness can be a very general topic, homelessness in Toronto will be the focus. In order to end homelessness, new tactics needs to be explored. These tactics include finding more funds, trying another approach to giving homeless people homes, funding more rehabilitation and more. First off, a program that is called "housing first" would be the main goal as well as funding rehabilitation to help people with alcohol or drug addictions. The "housing first" program is a program that puts those who are homeless in an apartments for a fraction of the regular cost until they can get back on their feet.

Read More
1182 Words | 5 Pages

As time goes on, the rate of homelessness rises as the population rises. Homelessness then was mostly caused by a family’s history of being homeless, drug abuse, mental disorders, and tyrannical leaders forcing his people into poverty. In modern times, several organizations are now trying to end homelessness by building cheaper housing projects more affordable to the poor and homeless shelters; these projects usually cost a fair amount of money.

Read More
747 Words | 3 Pages

Homelessness in Canada Homelessness is the condition of people without a permanent dwelling. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure and adequate housing Mass homelessness in Canada became a problem in the 1980s, after a massive disinvestment in affordable housing, structural shifts in the economy and reduced spending on social supports. Even today, prices for a reasonable home are skyrocketing into the millions! Fortunately, there are many signs that we are entering a new phase that will lead to an end to homelessness in Canada.

Read More
1107 Words | 5 Pages

The homelessness problem in Winnipeg is no easy fix. We want to see change with our homeless community, but how we do that is the question most can not figure out. Winnipeg homeless are struggling with finding support individually, as the focus is always on our shelters as a whole like Brian Pincott said in an interview with The Winnipeg Free Press. “The focus has been more around the big projects, more around business and less around people,” he says. “The big signature projects, as opposed to what livability actually means (Pincott, B)”.

Read More
1834 Words | 8 Pages

Youth homelessness in Canada is not a new phenomenal, it has become more and more severe over the past 20 years. “One third of homeless individuals on the streets are under the age of 25”(Cino, Rose). It is a significant social justice issue in Canada. Within our community people are increasingly aware of the sight of youth sleeping in parks, asking for money and sitting on sidewalks. Youth homelessness is caused by tragic life occurrences such as abuse, illness or unemployment, while many falsely assume homelessness is a choice.

Read More
488 Words | 2 Pages

Torontonians can all agree that the current amount of homeless people is a significant problem. The city is facing a serious issue and it seems as though not much is being implemented to help these citizens. According to recent studies, there are currently 5,219 homeless people living on the streets, or relying on shelter homes for a place to stay. As the homeless population continues to grow, action needs to be taken to get these people off the streets, and into affordable housing. The provincial government says that they will be investing $90 million over the next three years, to help the city deal with this issue http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-housing-homelessness-investment-toronto-1.4284308.

Read More
283 Words | 2 Pages

On any given night, approximately 30,000 Canadians struggle to find a safe place to spend the night. Research indicates that lack of a stable and supportive living environment is detrimental for one’s health and well-being. Consequently, homeless individuals have significantly worse physical and mental health than the general population, and are at higher risk of death. Compared to the general population, homeless individuals are more likely to resort to emergency care services and have longer hospital stays, bearing increased financial burdens on the healthcare system. Although this population requires high levels of medical attention, people who are homeless have substantial unmet health care needs within Canada’s traditional model of primary

Read More
1256 Words | 6 Pages

The issue of homelessness in America has been evident since the early 1600’s. Across the country men, women and children spend their nights on the streets not knowing when or if they will ever find a permanent home. States and federal officials or city councils have tried to alleviate or at least reduce the number of homeless over the last several decades at a city, state or national level but it continues to be an ongoing problem. There is a multitude of factors that account for the growing homeless population that affects each state in the country differently. Though there are many contributing factors that contribute to the amount of people living on the street at any given night in the U.S.

Read More
597 Words | 3 Pages

Disabled individuals, veterans and families are some of the demographic that is affected by homelessness. Physical ailments such as malnutrition, lack of hygiene, undiagnosed diseases and/or disorders can be detrimental. Mental disorders such as depression can develop due to the harsh circumstances of living on the streets. The lack of support, affordable housing and medical care that homeless individuals are receiving are prime examples of the need for compassionate and dedicated social workers to assist homeless individuals in regaining hope, purpose, and to evoke the strength within themselves. Living in shelters or public areas, homeless individuals are extremely resilience.

Read More
1373 Words | 6 Pages

Homelessness is a very prevalent issue worldwide, with millions living on the streets or in inadequate housing. According to the United Nations, around 1.6 billion people struggle with inadequate housing and living conditions worldwide. In the United States alone, the number of homeless people is estimated to be over 580,000, with even more experiencing homelessness at some point during the year (National Alliance to End Homelessness). Criminalization is an increasingly popular approach to solving this issue. However, this response fails to address the root causes of homelessness and instead punishes individuals for being unable to afford necessities such as housing.

Read More
1171 Words | 5 Pages

I. Introduction Homelessness has become an ever-growing problem in the United States that has seen many states troubled with ways to solve it. Being homeless is the state of not having a fixed or permanent and regular place of residence. Homelessness is a major crisis in the United States because it not only affects the homeless but also those surrounding them. The homeless people will have to borrow from other people or steal from them to survive. Therefore, the problem is far-reaching and needs to be addressed.

Read More
1754 Words | 8 Pages

Every night in the United States, more than 550,000 people have no home to return to. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), last year our country experienced the first increase in homelessness rates in a decade. The issue of homelessness is persistent and continues to ruin the lives of many Americans today, and no solution has been able to holistically address the problem. In recent discussions about assistance to the homeless in America, government intervention has been a controversial topic. On one hand, some argue that those in need should learn to rely on themselves, and that private nonprofits are more effective than federal programs.

Read More

More about Homelessness In Canada Essay

Related Topics

Open Document