Agenda Package - City of Vernon

Evaluation of Homelessness Strategy for the North Okanagan
the majority of the most commonly accepted definitions are variations on a common theme.
Broadly speaking homelessness is viewed as a demographics phenomena or characteristic which
includes those people who are without a regular house or dwelling because they cannot afford,
or are otherwise unable to maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack fixed, regular,
and adequate nighttime residence. More broadly, homelessness refers to: ",,. those who ore
"visible" on the streets or staying in shelters; ... those who live in housing that is unsafe,
unsuitoble, over-crowded, illegol, temporary, transitional; ond/or those at imminent risk of
losing their housing" t.to
Homelessness is not a recent phenomenon, but in fact has been a noticeable
characteristic of society for several centuries, and arguably its roots go back significantly further.
Many of us assoc¡ate homelessness with the early history of England, the peasant revolts and
especially the 18OO's of Dickens' London. ln North America we think of homelessness in the
context of the 1,930's and the distressing images of transient single men jumping trains or
huddled in doorways. And while these perceptions are not inaccurate, they are inadequate to a
full understanding of current circumstances. Today homelessness cuts a much broader swath
across society enveloping not just single transient men, but increasingly seniors, women,
children and young families."
The root causes of homelessness are many and varied. They vary case by case and may
include such considerations as: unemployment and an absence of opportunities (economic
malaise); lack of affordable housing; mental health issues; disability; substance abuse; domestic
violence; relationship breakdown; prison release and re-entry into society; natural disaster; and
forced eviction; to name but a few.12
Homelessness itself is not just about an absence of safe and secure shelter, but carries
with it a multiplicity of additional inherent disadvantages including but not limited to:
8 Demographic categorizatlon can be applied to any kind of dynamic human population that changes over time or
space. lt refers to the specific characteristics of selected populations and normally encompasses the size, structure
and distribution of these populations, and the spatial and/or temporal changes in them overtime.
s lt is important to point out that the "invisible" component of the homelessness challenge is significant and real: " /t
is estimated that more than 80% of Conødo's homeless are improperly housed or on the verge of eviction' Mony are
sleepíng in temporary
ond vehÌcles, ond other ploces where we don't see them." Homelessness: Demoeraphv & Characteristics of
Homelessness, http://www.homelesshub.ca. Power, Asetha (2008) Homeless Hub'
10 Health and Homelessness, The Homeless Coalition of Windsor-Essex County, January 2007.
ttiAb*t or*i*r"rm uurt of shelters across Conqdo is o child. Women ore more vulneroble to becoming homeless
os they generally eorn less thon men ond ore more often victims of fomily violence. Newcomers to the rental housing
morket - especially young people, immigrants and refugees - ore often required to rent housÌng thot they connot
offord ønd ore one pøycheck owoy from eviction. Mony seniors face evict¡on due to fixed incomes ond increosed rents
ond toxes. Mony homeless youth ore living in shelters or bunking with fríends os they ore fleeing abusive situotions.
The workìng poor, often single porents with young children, live in crowded housing os they ore unoble to offord a
decent place to live while feeding ond clothing their children." Homelessness: Demosraohv & Characteristics of
Homelessness, http://www.homelesshub.ca. Power, Asetha (2008) Homeless Hub'
study on homelessness in Canada, though somewhat dated (2001), provides some valid insight into current
circumstances suggesting the root causes for homelessness are: increasing poverty; decreases in the number of low
-A
income housing units; and a deinstitutionalizing of the mentally ill. Homelessness ln Canada' Rudy Pohl , Nov.2001-.
see also:
April 2001.
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Lochaven Management Consultants Ltd.
November 2010
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