Ending Homelessness.We believe we can end homelessness in Simcoe County.
|
About Homelessness
Homelessness is an extreme form of poverty and social exclusion. Simply put, people who are homeless do not have safe, affordable, appropriate, permanent housing to which they can return whenever they choose. This includes people who are absolutely homeless and are living on the streets or in shelters, the ‘hidden homeless’ who are staying with friends, relatives or in institutional settings, and those ‘at risk’ of homelessness, whose current economic and housing situation is precarious.
Homelessness can result from a combination of individual and structural factors.
Individual factors that can contribute to homelessness include: deep poverty, mental or physical illness, addiction, trauma, abuse, lack of education and a lack of supportive relationships.
Homelessness can result from a combination of individual and structural factors.
Individual factors that can contribute to homelessness include: deep poverty, mental or physical illness, addiction, trauma, abuse, lack of education and a lack of supportive relationships.
|
Structural causes of homelessness are social and economic in nature, and are often outside the control of the individual or family concerned. These may include:
|
|
The Cost of Homelessness
Can we save money by doing the right thing?
Research shows that homelessness is cheaper to fix than to ignore.
As of 2013, homelessness cost the Canadian economy $7.05 billion annually.
Significant research has been done that explores the cost of housing someone in jail, hospitals or the shelter system compared to housing them in social or supportive housing. The difference is quite shocking. In a 2005 study by Pomeroy which looked at costs in four Canadian cities, institutional responses (jails, hospitals etc.) cost $66,000-$120,000 annually, emergency shelters cost $13,000-$42,000 annually whereas supportive and transitional housing cost $13,000-$18,000 and affordable housing without supports was a mere $5,000-$8,000.
This cost analysis doesn’t look at the social and human costs. Not only is putting someone in housing cheaper, it is also much more humane. The longer someone remains homeless the greater likelihood that their physical and mental health will deteriorate and there is an increased chance of an early death. (Taken from the Homeless Hub)
Research shows that homelessness is cheaper to fix than to ignore.
As of 2013, homelessness cost the Canadian economy $7.05 billion annually.
Significant research has been done that explores the cost of housing someone in jail, hospitals or the shelter system compared to housing them in social or supportive housing. The difference is quite shocking. In a 2005 study by Pomeroy which looked at costs in four Canadian cities, institutional responses (jails, hospitals etc.) cost $66,000-$120,000 annually, emergency shelters cost $13,000-$42,000 annually whereas supportive and transitional housing cost $13,000-$18,000 and affordable housing without supports was a mere $5,000-$8,000.
This cost analysis doesn’t look at the social and human costs. Not only is putting someone in housing cheaper, it is also much more humane. The longer someone remains homeless the greater likelihood that their physical and mental health will deteriorate and there is an increased chance of an early death. (Taken from the Homeless Hub)
Monthly costs of caring for those experiencing homelessness:
Source: Cost of Homelessness, 2012, Homeless Hub
Simcoe County InitiativesSCATEH has a strong history of advocating for improvements to the social service system and raising awareness about homelessness.
Since 2015, the Alliance has also undertaken initiatives to coordinate the system, such as signing on to the 20,000 Homes Campaign, Built For Zero Canada, and partnering with the County of Simcoe to implement a regional Housing First program. |
Functional ZeroThe words “ending homelessness” often bring to mind a vision of a day when no person will ever experience homelessness - the ideal Absolute Zero concept. The goal of a Functional Zero end to homelessness is to achieve a point where there are enough services, housing and shelter beds for anyone who needs them. This ensures that anyone who experiences homelessness does so only briefly, is rehoused successfully, and therefore is unlikely to return to homelessness.
|