Homelessness, And The Marginalization Of Homelessness In Vancouver

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In 2011, 2650 people were found to be homeless in the city of Vancouver (Metro Vancouver, 2012). There are many sociological perspectives regarding the topic of homelessness in Vancouver such as gender, youth, social justice, and race and ethnicity. The key factors that I discovered when researching homelessness in Vancouver were the prevalence of various drug addictions, prostitution, violence, and physical and sexual abuse in the homeless population. By reading several articles regarding my topic I pose the research question: Is not having a home the main factor that marginalizes the homeless? In addition, what should be done to reduce homelessness in Vancouver?

Based on quantitative and qualitative data Mario Berti (2010) points …show more content…

Treatment and support for several addictions, and physical and sexual abuse is lacking. If this were addressed the marginalization of homeless populations including women, Aboriginals, and youth would severely decrease. For example, with women on the streets who are working as prostitutes, giving them housing is not enough. These women have many more concerns than just housing and need support to overcome what they are experiencing currently as well as their past. This cycle continues because their basic social and human needs are not being fulfilled. Further generations born into poverty and violence are also at risk for continuing the cycle of homelessness. In order to resolve many of these issues major treatments and different types of support need to take place. As a society, we need to stop viewing homeless people in our city as troublemakers or misfits and start viewing them as one of us. The government needs to step in and set up more than just housing but institutions and treatment centers to help with their basic human needs, health issues, and trauma that is occurring and has occurred. By just providing housing is not enough due to the fact that many youth and others return back to the streets and continue their usual lifestyle. By the government, setting up programs to clean up Vancouver’s homeless population and by promising them jobs would also be a solution rather than them returning back to old habits. Interventions and more one on one support and guidance need to be provided by various counselors to the homeless to help them cope with their mental and psychological issues as well. Many of the homeless population are long-term drug users and most of the addicts have tried many times to clean up their act. By being enrolled in detoxification clinics and treatment programs for a long period of time and avoiding relapses is also

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