The Proposed Action Plan

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INTRODUCTION

Canada has made great progress in addressing the issue of homelessness in the country, however there hasn’t been much thought into long term solutions to the problem and prevention. On any given night there are anywhere around 30,000 Canadians are homeless and 50,000 considered to be part of the “hidden” homeless population, who instead of sleeping outside stay with friends or relatives temporarily (CBC news, 2013). Researchers have found that certain factors may put someone at a higher risk of becoming homeless, however because every person’s story is different it is harder to categorize these risks (Echenberg, 2012). Homeless is defined, according to the Canadian Homelessness Research Network, as

““Homelessness describes the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, stressful and distressing.”(Gaetz, 2013)

This research paper aims to uncover the causes of homelessness and its impact on our society. Based on a study commissioned by Shelter, based out of England, in 2007 the below reasons were given in regards to the causes of homelessness;

• RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN: 41 per cent

• BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE FAMILY HOME: 28 per cent

• DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS: 31 per cent and 28 per cent respectively

• LEAVING PRISON: 25 per cent

• MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS: 19 per cent

• OTHERS: for example, evict...

... middle of paper ...

...of homelessness in Canada 2013. Toronto: Canadian Homeless Research Network Press.

Issue:Housing and Homelessness. (n.d.). Issue: Housing and Homelessness. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/issues/housing?routetoken=7d43311f7d8c05f89f05abb71a779c82&terminitial=23

Pasma, C. (2010). Bearing the Brunt: How the 2008-2009 Recession Created Poverty for Canadian Families. Citizens for Public Justice, 1, 10. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://www.cpj.ca/files/docs/Bearing_the_Brunt.pdf

SLO Homeless. (2008, May 29). SLO Homeless. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://slohomeless.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/homelessness-the-social-impact/

What causes homelessness?. (2014, March 3). -Shelter England. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns/why_we_campaign/tackling_homelessness/What_causes_homelessness

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