Homelessness in a Northern Ontario Community
Description:
This paper will present the preliminary results of a three-year study of homelessness in Sudbury funded by the National Homelessness Initiative. The multi-methods study has gathered data from more than 1,000 homeless individuals in order to describe their characteristics of homeless people and reasons for being homeless. Data on physical and mental health problems and access to health care servcies have been collected from a subsample of 217 people. As part of the study, a community survey on attitudes to homelessness has also been conducted in which over one thousand local community members have participated.
The current paper will focus on a comparison of the experiences of homeless women and their children with those of homeless men, taking into account any differences based on ethnicity/culture (i.e. for Anglophones, Francophones, and Aboriginal people). In particular, the association between homelessness and experiences of trauma, abuse and violence will be examined as will the community capacity to address the central issues for homeless people. The perspectives of local residents on the links between domestic violence and homelessness, and on solutions to homelessness will also be presented briefly. The results will be discussed within the context of current government policies (local, provincial, and federal) on poverty and homelessness. The paper will address several of the conference themes including child poverty, the urban agenda, and First Nations' policy. [abstract]
Type of Resource:
Government Document
Publication Date:
2003
Location:
Sudbury