Homelessness is not a choice, it is a state of desperation, and does not apply only to citizens living on the streets, but residents struggling to meet ends meet, addiction, abuse, and illness as well. Homelessness is a climbing issue and cannot be ignored. According to CBC Canada, it was estimated that the homelessness population falls somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 people living on the street, while the other 1.7 million residents are struggling to meet ends meet. The leading cause of homelessness is poverty, which, in Canada, has an overall poverty rate of 15.7%, recorded in 2005.
Without a sufficient income, basic needs are not provided: shelter, food, and water. In absence of these aspects, the possible outcomes can occur, such as illness, addiction, homelessness, and eventually death. It is important that the issue of homelessness is solved, because it not only affects individuals, but also the economy, therefore society as a whole. As homelessness grows, so do the investments that go into providing homeless shelters and medical programs, which are funded by taxpayers and private donations. This treatment is called the “Band-Aid” treatment, by putting the homeless away and not addressing the key issues that lead to homelessness. People who are suffering from all characteristics of homelessness don’t need 20 shelters; they need support and guidance to lead them away from their struggle and how to deal with it.
This is the treatment that the Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee, a non-profit advocate group, strives to achieve, by not just providing shelters and programs, but addressing the key issues citizens are struggling against, meeting their needs, and supporting them even after they have been treated. Since first opening in 2000, Moncton has seen a great improvement in homelessness records, as well as across the province of New Brunswick. Described in their first “Provincial Report Card,” it was estimated that 2, 374 people were experiencing some form of homelessness in 2008. In just one year, they released a dramatic decreased estimate of 737 in 2009. Acknowledging that being poor increases a citizens chance of becoming homeless, GMHSC not only addressing sufferers from homeless, but citizens who are potentially at risk, and also raising awareness in the community to get involved in order to solve homelessness.
Homelessness is a growing concern in Canada. But the extraordinary example GMHSC has made in the community demonstrates that there is a solution for homelessness, and that is by community involvement and programs and shelters that help citizens who are battling with homelessness and those who are at risk. Together we can make a difference.
I think Moncton is on the right track. Back in Thunder Bay I sat on the board of Shelter House TB and eventually resigned. The mission was to build a large facility to accommodate the homeless, and I regarded this as unnecessarily building a culture of homelessness, rather than tackling the root causes to end the culture of homelessness.
ReplyDeleteThe root causes are fairly evident: unemployment, domestic problems, financial problems, spousal abuse, substance addictions, and mental health issues, all of which can and do fall through the holes in the publicly-funded social safety net. Governments at all levels have cut back social services while offloading responsibility onto the privately-funded not-for-profit sector. In essence this is social downloading onto charity, a 19th Century solution not suited to what should be more compassionate 21st Century societies.
I hope your studies bring you into direct contact with the Moncton group so you can keep us up to date on their progress. Advocacy is the key.
Very good points, great insight that got me thinking! Thank you for the comment :)
DeleteThe GMHSC is setting in example for the world that we can't just ensure that homeless people are in a shelter. We need to get them back in society so that they can strive and live a good life again. They are providing the necessary stuff for people to have a job, have a family, have the basic stuff that everyone should have.
ReplyDeleteThe GMHSC isn't doing just the Moncton area a favor but is going all of New Brunswick one as Sam stated above. They are showing everyone that homelessness is a problem that is occurring right in our backyard and we need to take action. We can't just be paying our taxes to help them, we need to find out why they are homeless in the first place.
Im glad to see that there are people out there who actually care about solving some of the worlds issues. Homelessness happens world wide and is a serious problem that many people over look. Great job Ssm! Keep up the amazing job your doing!
Thanks for the comment Andrew! If we all work together, get everyone involved, anything can be solved :)
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Sam :) Even though it may not seem it now you are making a difference in the world and makings someones life better, we will support you all the way :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam :)
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