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Population: The North
The vast majority of the Canadian population lives within two hundred kilometers of the American border. Most Canadians live in cities, and one of the challenges in understanding homelessness and responding to it is that it is often framed as an urban, inner-city issue. There are several important reasons for this, including the fact that it is often in large cities where big investments have been made in homelessness infrastructure, including the building of shelters, drop-ins, etc. However, the factors that lead to homelessness exist not only in big cities, but can also be found in Northern communities. This includes inadequate housing, poverty, discrimination, abuse and substance misuse. Several factors make homelessness in the North a more complex issue. First, there is a lack of infrastructure and services to prevent or reduce the worst outcomes of homelessness. Second, the degree of poverty in the North means that there are increased pressures on individuals, famil...ies and communities. Third, the cold experienced during the winter makes the possibility of surviving without shelter impossible.

As a result, when people in the North face homelessness, they may choose to temporarily stay with friends or relatives, or in some cases endure unbearable situations (including abuse or living in poverty), and thus become part of the “hidden homelessness” problem. A lack of services and supports means that many are otherwise forced to leave their community to access services. This means moving a long way from home, and severing ties with the local community and moving south to urban areas. This may result in escaping one set of problems, but by moving so far from home and community, it can lead to many others. Homelessness in the North presents important challenges for those who seek to end homelessness. Currently, there is a need for more research in this area.

AUTHOR: Power, Asetha (2008) Homeless Hub. [Show More][Show Less]


Acknowledgements
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A Canadian Homelessness Research Network (CHRN) initiative. The CHRN has received financial support from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada

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