Homelessness Problem in the Kenora District

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Recommendations
References

Introduction

According to the estimates conducted in 2006 in Canada, about 157,000 people face homelessness (Trypuc and Robinson, 2009). However, the problem becomes more complicated because the rates of homeless people increase over years.

Thehomelessness growth is explained by a different composition of the Canadian community in terms of urban renewal, labor market, and availability of health facilities. In Kenora, the exodus of on-reserve Aboriginal people and shifts in tourist destinations have highlighted the issue of homelessness. It is the goal of the Homelessness Committee to address these issues and provide solutions.

Our town government needs to address the problem of homelessness because it poses threats to the welfare of the community. Specific attention should be given to “drifters” and “homeless” individuals who use park and beach bathrooms. In addition, the report should relate to the development of 24-hour facility that can meet the needs of this group and ensure safety and security of the town.

With regard to the focus group, it is necessary to highlight the reasons for the increased number of homeless individuals, analyze the consequences of the problem for social welfare of the town, and provide new perspectives and recommendations for the municipal administration to reduce the number of people living on the streets of Kenora.

Discussion

Reasons for Increased Rates of Homeless People

Like in any other districts of Canada, Kenora experiences similar problems in terms of unemployment, and this creates significant challenges for the youth segment. In particular, Adams et al. (2007) emphasize, “many youth commented that there was inadequate preparation for independence” (p. 201).

Emotional unpreparedness is recognized because of a youth’s concern that they did not acquire sufficient skills and education to apply for a prestigious job. Therefore, they needed assistance in gaining life experience to accomplish their goals. As a result, almost one third of youth resorted to homeless existence.

In addition, Adams et al. (2007) note that nearly 40 % of street youths contacted their children care centers, but most of them did not feel they received sufficient help and support from these agencies.

Moreover, young women also expressed concerns with early motherhood because of “a deep sense of fragility and unpredictability about their circumstances” (Adams et al., 2007, p. 202). Therefore, the town administration should, first of all, pay attention to the quality of care in public agencies providing children care.

Further, existence of stereotypes about homeless people is another obstacle to overcoming the problems. It is also the major reason for inappropriate treatment of this social segment (Egan, 2009). The task of social care agencies is to consider the diversity aspects in Kenora.

Most of the homeless people striving to find a job are not able to do so merely because they have a limited access to jobs (Egan, 2009). This group of drifters in Kenora is composed of Aboriginal people predominantly, which also stipulates the problem of social inequality in the district.

The problems related with defining a clear image of the essence of homelessness in Canada include the inadequacy of the definition. Therefore, the definition of the term is crucial. Homelessness can be regarded as “a continuum, with those living outdoors and in other places not intended for human habitation at the extreme” (Hulchanski, 2009, p. 4).

An accurate definition of homelessness can define risk categories of people living in unsafe and substandard housing. Moreover, the definition has a direct impact on policies, measures, and action plans implemented to evaluate the outcomes of homelessness initiatives.

Finally, urbanization can also be regarded as the prevalent cause of homelessness in our town. In fact, Canada faces a rapid trend in urbanization, as highlighted by the fact that about 80 % of Canadians live in towns that count over 10,000 (Hulchanski, 2009).

Despite the fact that homelessness is an urgent problem in rural districts of Canada, it has also become the crisis in urban environment due to the limited access to rental units. As a result, homelessness has an impact on women and men, families with children, street youth, as well as representatives of ethnic minority groups.

According to Hulchanski (2009), “homelessness represents a transient one-time crisis or an episode problem; for a distinctly different subgroup of individuals, homelessness is a chronic condition” (p. 4). In fact, the government should be more concerned with these aspects to work out strategies for improving the situation.

Analysis of the Possible Consequences in Kenora

With regard to the above-presented causes of homelessness in Canada, it is possible to predict further growth rates of homeless individuals, as well as the consequences of the increase for the social welfare of the population. Because poverty, discrimination, and lack of assistance are among the major reasons for the current situation, further ignorance of the statistics might create serious problems for Kenora.

To begin with, the government should evaluate the consequences of the increased number of “drifters” using public toilets, beach bathrooms, and parks for living and satisfying their needs. Because most of the homeless people do not have a possibility to take a medical examination, the public places threaten the overall welfare of the town.

In a CBC News report, it has been discussed that homelessness has now been turned into a chronic problem and, as a result, it is becoming one of the most urgent social issues (CBCNews, 2007). In addition, the report supports the idea that poverty is the leading cause of homelessness in the country.

In addition to the increased poverty rates, homeless individuals rose by 740 % between 1994 and 2006 (CBCNews, 2007). With regard to this finding, the Kenora administration should take serious measures to avert the detrimental consequences.

Homelessness in Kenora may become an underpinning for the spread of societal ills. Addiction, mental illness, malnutrition, family structure, unemployment and lack of income may be the shortcoming (Trypuc and Robinson, 2009).

Therefore, the town administration should consider the growing number of people and introduce long-term measures, including 24-hour facilities. National and local strategies that confront the issues cannot guarantee safety and protection to all citizens.

City councilors in Canada have already acknowledged and responded to the urgent problem of homelessness. Numerous towns have invested large amounts of money for creating emergency centers in the 1970s (Pohl, 2001). Recently, some cities have introduced task forces to cope with the crisis-driven concerns.

On a larger scale, it is necessary for the federal government to take an active part in counseling and recognizing homelessness as a national threat to social wellbeing.

Recommendations

In order to confront the problem and eliminate further complications in the social sphere, the town should take serious measures for reducing the number of destitute people in the town. For this initiative, it is necessary to provide direct support and assistance to people who are deprived of housing and do not have enough resources for renting a house or an apartment.

The town administration, therefore, should rely on the initiatives introduced in the Homeless Partnering Strategy (HPS), a community-based program that seeks to reduce and prevent homelessness through direct funding and support of societies in Canada (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 2012a).

Within this context, it is possible to develop a plan that would ensure 24-hour facilities for homeless people and “drifters” in Kenora. The facility should involve all conveniences, including meals, bathrooms, and bedrooms for people. Healthcare services should also be provided to guarantee physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals.

The municipal government should introduce similar funding organizations so they can provide greater possibilities for creating facilities that take care of homeless individuals and “drifters”, including children, women, and elderly people (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 2012b). The funding resources should be distributed into three areas – budgeting, healthcare, and voluntary activity.

The latter should also be encouraged among the citizens to increase their social awareness. Budgeting should enhance efficient health treatment of homeless individuals, as well as collaborative care of nurses working in shelters.

The 24-hour facility should offer both medical and psychological help for homeless people to feel social participation and concern with the population’s wellbeing. According to McDonald et al. (2009), “…the presence of on-site staff exerts a positive effect on social connection and interaction” (p. 6).

Therefore, coordination and constant interaction with homeless individuals and “drifter” is crucial for increasing their self-esteem. In addition, such assistance can eliminate the problem of inappropriate use of parks in Kenora.

Apart from creating facilities and collaborative staff, specific attention should also be given to street youth. Child protection must be the primary concern of the municipal government. Our town authorities should operate to meet the needs of this population.

Finally, women, ethnic minorities, and the Aboriginal population should also be considered within the context of the facility development plan. This is of particular concern to groups that have a restricted access to employment because of illness, physical disability, or other circumstances (Trypuc & Robinson, 2009). The task of the municipal government is to create favorable conditions for this niche of the population.

In such a manner, they significantly reduce the poverty rates and increase the overall social stability in the town. In addition, Kenora administration should encourage current non-profit organizations to take an active part in communication with the homeless population and provide them with help and support.

Indeed, the recognition of the problem, as well as reasonable distribution of resources is the key to a healthy society in our town and in Canada in general.

The 24-hour facility ensures individuals with warm places where they can take a shower and have a meal. The municipal government should also develop an efficient communication network that can inform “drifters” and homeless individuals about the possibility to stay for a night in a comfortable room.

Even if individuals do not recognize their status, the facility can also offer places for which the clients should pay. Establishing several centers for the vulnerable population can significantly reduce the poverty rates in Kenora.

References

Adams, G. R., Cameron, G., & Coady, Nick. (2007). Moving Toward Positive Systems of Child and Family Welfare: Current Issues and Future Directions. US: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

CBCNews (2007) Homelessness ‘Chronic’ in Canada: Study. CBC News. Web.

Egan, G. (2009). The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. US: Cengage Learning.

Hulchanski, J. D. (2009). Finding Home: Policy Options for Addressing Homelessness in Canada. US: Homeless Hub.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (2012a). Homeless Partnering Strategy. Web.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (2012b). Funding. Web.

McDonald, L., Donahue, P., Janes, J., and Cleghorn, L. (2009).Understanding the Health, Housing and Social Inclusion of Formerly Homeless Older Adults. Toronto: Cities Centre.

Pohl, R. (2001). Homelessness in Canada. Street Level Consulting and Counseling. Web.

Trypuc, B., & Robinson, J. (2009).A Funder’s Primer in Understanding the Tragedy on Canada’s Streets.Charity Intelligence Canada.pp. 1-68.

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