Essay about Urban Homelessness in Canada

“One diverse population that has continued to increase over the quarter of a century is composed of people who are homeless” (Baggerly & Zalaquett, 2006, p.155). Homelessness has become a growing problem in society because more and more people are finding themselves to be homeless and not knowing where to turn. Many people do not

To be homeless means that one’s primary residence is a public or private shelter, emergency housing, hotel, motel, living with family or friends or any public space – like parks, automobiles, aqueducts or abandoned buildings (Pawlas, 1996).

To be homeless means a person is considered homeless who "lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence; and... has a primary night time residency that is: (A) a supervised publicly or privately operated

This homelessness population consists of people from all age groups: infants, children, adolescents, adulthood, and the

First, what is homelessness? This question has been up for debate for some time now. There is one general accepted definition of homelessness, due to the different types of homelessness the definition can vary. According to the government of this country homelessness, “is the condition of people without a permanent dwelling, such as a house or apartment” (The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). When people who are not homeless see the less fortunate living outside in public areas they automatically know that the person does not have a “permanent dwelling”.

Homelessness is a prime concern for numerous countries across the globe, including the most advanced ones. Though the population of homeless people tends to be higher in developing countries, it is still a concern in developed nations. Homelessness is a state where someone lacks regular shelter. The term includes people who do not have a home and sleep on the streets, as well as those whose basic nighttime residence is a homeless shelter or other improvised form of housing. Such people lack the capacity to acquire or maintain sufficient nighttime shelter. Individuals and family units become homeless for many reasons. Assessing these causes can help to mitigate the issue.

Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.

In most case, these people led a normal life, and found themselves homelessness due to unforeseen circumstances, such as loss of income, which can cause a chain reaction that can decimate a person’s economic stability.

In many rural, resource-based communities, this population is not on wait lists for low-income housing. They are not receiving subsidized rent or qualify for other income dependent benefits. This population is not homeless because they are experiencing poverty, unemployment, poor physical or mental health, addiction,

Homelessness can be described as the lack of safe, affordable, adequate and secure housing. It refers to a situation or condition of an individual person or a family without having the ability to live in a secured housing at their own. It is considered as a current growing problem in Canada including Hamilton. In past, homelessness was limited to city and urban areas, but now it spreads in diverse population even to the grass level. People experiencing homelessness are from a diverse population with many subgroups. Among those without housing are single men and women, families, youth, visible minorities, aboriginal people. Some of them with severe mental illnesses and other serious health problems. (Source: Adapted from www.raisingtheroof.org). Homelessness in Canada is attributed to societal factors, organisational factors and individual factors which require more attention from the government to resolve.

What is homelessness? On the most basic level homelessness is the state or condition of having no home. But what is "home?" A home is merely more than having shelter - a home needs to be secure, safe and connected.

On the contrary, the homeless people have no inhabited spaces, face harsh climates, and non-existent social services. The contributory factor of homelessness was due to inadequate shelter from the elements, others being unfit for

Homelessness is a product of our entire country which is a direct reflection of our economy and there a lack of insight to those who have little to no means of digging themselves out of this rut. The loss of employment, unskilled laborers, lack of education which contributes

Homelessness is situations where by people don’t have a regular dwelling place. The homeless are most often not able to acquire and maintain safe, regular, adequate, and a secure housing or they don’t have a ‘fixed’ regular and adequate residence at night-time. Legally, the definition varies from country to country, or within different jurisdictions in the same region or even country. The term ‘homeless’ may also comprise individuals whose night-time residence is primarily in a warming center, a homeless shelter, a vehicle, a domestic violence shelter, a tent, squatting, tarpaulins, cardboard boxes, or other ad hoc housing situations. Other countries also include people who sleep in a private or public place that is not tailored to be utilized as a regular sleeping accommodation for people.

The risk of individual who may currently have a home, but are at the brink of homelessness is high. It is often easier to ignore people who are homeless or even ignore that homelessness exists in our society because it is easier for society to blame the individual rather than society itself. It is important to advocate for those who are not able speak up for themselves. The article by the National Homeless Coalition (2009) states that there is a decline in public assistance for individuals who are homeless; therefore it is integral that we as a society seek assistance for these individuals and help promote awareness of the rise in homelessness.