What do we mean by “Homeless”?

The First step in ending homelessness is to understand it.

Unsheltered homelessness:: living on the streets or in places not intended for people to live.
Chronically homeless:: a person who has been homeless for more than a year – often much longer.
At Risk of Homelessness/ Precarious Housing:: people who could become homeless due to an insufficient income, housing that is unstable or does not meet public health and safety standards. Affordable Housing: In Canada, housing that costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income. Affordable housing can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.

Spotlight Indigenous homelessness

24% of people experience homelessness identify as Indigenous

Indigenous homelessness is a human condition that describes First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, families or communities lacking stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means or ability to acquire such housing.

Unlike the common colonialist definition of homelessness, Indigenous homelessness is not defined as lacking a structure of habitation. Rather, it is more fully described and understood through a composite lens of Indigenous worldviews.

These include individuals, families and communities isolated from their relationships to land, water, place, family, kin, each other, animals, cultures, languages and identities. Importantly, Indigenous people experiencing these kinds of homelessness cannot culturally, spiritually, emotionally or physically reconnect with their Indigeneity or lost relationships.

“Homelessness amongst Indigenous Peoples should be considered as a consequence of Canada’s history of colonization and exploitation of Indigenous land and populations. Significant abuse and cultural trauma occurred through the use of residential schools to house and educate Indigenous children. Furthermore, the 60’s Scoop – which took Indigenous children and placed them in white foster homes within the child welfare system has led to unstable families and homes…”

“Many of the personal [mental health and addiction] issues… faced by Indigenous Peoples and that act as contributors to homelessness can be directly linked to various types of historical trauma.” Source: Homeless Hub