Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Life And Society
  4. / More Life And Society

by nightsky56 on February 3rd, 2007

nightsky56

Question

Help answer this question below.

How big of a problem is homelessness in Canada?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by canadianhelper on February 3rd, 2007

    canadianhelper

    Government of Canada site:
    http://www.homelessness.gc.ca/corporate/sec4-0_e.asp

    Excerpt:
    There are people who are visibly homeless who are on the streets, but there are many more who are considered to be the "invisible homeless". These are people who are living in shelters; have a place to stay temporarily by the grace of family and friends; or those who are in unsafe living environments (e.g. victims of family abuse) who could end-up on the streets should they have to leave their current situation.

    Given the above understanding of homelessness, it is easier to appreciate how it is difficult to count the exact number of homeless people. Findings from research and local "street and shelter counts" suggest that, at a minimum, approximately .5% of the population in any given Canadian community will be homeless. This means that there are currently about 150,000 homeless people in Canada. This estimate does not include those living in over-crowded/ sub-standard conditions.



    You may wish to review:
    http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=263819&categoryid=1&category=News+Releases

    Excerpt:
    OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 19, 2006-Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, announced $526 million for the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), a strategy aimed at combating homelessness in communities across Canada and extending CMHC's renovation programs.

    The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) will be funded at $270 million over two years.

    The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) includes:

    * Consulting with stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors and listening to their concerns;
    * Partnering with the provinces and territories in the new year to determine how funding will be effectively allocated across Canada, thereby addressing the unique needs of many Canadian communities similar to the Canada-Quebec Agreement model;
    * Providing greater access to support networks appropriate to individual needs of homeless people (such as skills training, health and substance abuse treatment) to help them attain self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society;
    * Requiring that funding be specifically targeted at the development of transitional and supportive housing; and
    * Tracking progress in the prevention and reduction of homelessness.


    Also...here is a good starting point to discover more on the topic in Canada:
    http://endhomelessnessottawa.ca/

    Backgrounder from Diane Findlay's office:
    http://www.dianefinley.ca/news_details.asp?ID=1169

    Excerpt:
    The HPS is comprised of three initiatives:

    1. TheHomelessness Partnership Initiative (HPI) is the cornerstone of the HPS. Its housing-first approach recognizes that the first step is to house individuals. Afterwards, other supports can be instituted as required to improve health, parenting, education, and employment.

    The HPI identifies four target areas for funding:

    * Designated communities: These are communities identified as having a significant problem with homelessness. As with SCPI, these communities would be able to access multi-year funding which must be matched from other sources.
    * Rural and outlying areas: These areas, which include the North, will be eligible for funding to support one-time projects to fill specific gaps in rural infrastructure addressing homelessness.
    * Partnerships with Aboriginal groups: These partnerships will ensure that services meet the acute and unique needs of the homeless Aboriginal people, whether in cities or rural areas.
    * Federal horizontal pilot projects: Human Resources and Social Development Canada will mobilize federal departments such as Health, Justice, Citizenship and Immigration, and Indian Affairs and Northern Development to work collaboratively on issues which may lead to homelessness such as corrections, mental health, family violence, and immigration.

    2. The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI) makes surplus federal property available to community organizations, the non-profit sector, and other levels of government for projects to alleviate and prevent homelessness. Under the new HPS, SFRPHI is more flexible to allow land exchanges. Community groups can exchange, under certain conditions, a federal property received under the SFRPHI for another similar, and more suitable, property.

    3. TheHomelessness Accountability Network (HAN) streamlines reporting, strengthens program accountability, develops knowledge and encourages organizations to reinforce their networks and share best practices. This network builds upon the Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) and National Research Program (NRP) components of the NHI by facilitating access to, and dissemination of, housing support information and tools.

    Comments
    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading How big of a problem is homelessness in Canada?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company