Comprehensive report seeks to broadcast homelessness numbers in Canada
As part of a joint study compiled by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the State of Homelessness in Canada report has attempted to annually compile a comprehensive analysis of homelessness in the country since 2013. This year’s report, published last week, provides both a quantitative and qualitative look at homelessness in Canada.
Using research gathered from the past 25 years, the report attempts to illuminate the full extent of homelessness in Canada, and it offers a list of possible solutions to the growing problem.
According to this year’s study, an estimated 250,000 Canadians experience homelessness every year, while 35,000 Canadians are homeless on any given night. 13,000 to 33,000 are chronically or episodically homeless.
Furthermore, homelessness costs an annual $7 billion on the Canadian economy, which is a figure that includes the cost of emergency shelters, social services, health care, and correctional services.
To eradicate homelessness, the report suggests housing benefits to assist those facing severe affordability problems, a new affordable housing tax credit, and investments in Aboriginal housing both on and off reserves.
The report further suggests raising the per capita investment to $106 per Canadian annually, which would lead to the development of 8,800 new units of supportive and affordable housing annually.
Two University of Guelph professors, Marion Steele from the Department of Economics and Jane Londerville from the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies, were asked to assist with the report.
Together, Steele and Londerville were asked to quantify the number of housing units that would be needed to eliminate homelessness. They were also asked to develop recommendations for programs and policies that would produce the necessary units.
“Marion Steele and I were asked to prepare the background report for the State of Homelessness report,” explained Prof. Londerville. “We started last spring and completed the work over the summer.”
The report is important because it also touches on the damaging effects an increasing population is having on a nation unable to keep up with unmitigated growth. According to the report, Canada’s population has increased by almost 30 per cent in the past 25 years, while annual national investment in housing has decreased by over 46 per cent.
“Nearly one in five households experience extreme housing affordability problems,” explained a statistic from the report. “Meaning that they have low incomes and are spending more than 50 per cent of their income on rent.”
Londerville explained that all levels of government advocate “Housing First” solutions. Housing First refers to the idea that the first step in solving the homelessness problem is providing individuals with a roof over their heads.
“However, for Housing First to work, there need to be housing units available to place the homeless into,” said Londerville. “Guelph has the second lowest vacancy rate in Ontario, and a long wait list for social housing – Canada needs more safe affordable housing stock built.”
Londerville has taught Real Estate and Housing at the University of Guelph for 20 years, and her experience chairing the Wellington Guelph Housing Committee has allowed her to advocate for affordable housing.
“I have a long history of research and consulting in the housing area,” explained Londerville. “Marion Steele has decades of research experience in housing – most recently, she completed a design for a housing benefit for the Daily Bread Food Bank.”
The State of Homelessness in Canada report is freely available for all to read online.
“The key point is – we can end homelessness in Canada,” the report concludes. “This requires an investment, but one that will pay big dividends for all Canadians when we can finally say that homelessness is no longer a problem in our country.”