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Data is very difficult to collect because a lot of people move around, have no fixed address, are always on the move. Many cities have implemented the point-in-time method and rely on volunteers to go around their cities and perform a headcount. This isn't very accurate but it's a pretty good guess. It is averaged that for 1 person who identifies as homeless, there is another 4 people behind that person who is as well.
In Canada it is estimated over 235,000 people are homeless. There are many hidden homeless people. People who dwell in friend's or family's homes.
The lack of data and information makes it challenging to present viable options for help.

"PiT Counts, which identify the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night once every two years". Strobel, Stephenson website 150.statscan.gc

Strobel, Stephenson, et al. “This Study Uses Comprehensive Administrative Health Data from Emergency Department Visits to Enumerate People Experiencing Homelessness and Characterize Demographic and Geographic Trends in the Province of Ontario, Canada.” Statcan.gc.ca, Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 20 Jan. 2021, www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2021001/article/00002-eng.htm

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‌Statcan150 is a legit site. It is a site that gathers data and reliable information.

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High Tech Computer GIF by Matthew Butler - Find & Share on GIPHY

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There are so many reasons why a person goes homeless. Every single person has a different story. Why should this bother me? I'm not homeless, of course, many think this way. Homelessness can happen to anyone at any given time.
If access to meaningful employment, affordable rentals, public transportation, childcare, food, income, and support services were readily available; the less homeless we would have.

"People become homeless for many different reasons. It then follows that the services and supports that prevent homelessness as well as help people move forward with their lives must also take account of such differences" Canadian Homeless Observatory - Who is homeless

“Who Is Homeless? | the Homeless Hub.” Homelesshub.ca, 2016, www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/who-homeless.

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The Canadian Homeless Observatory is made up of individuals who gather data specifically for homeless information. They also provide insite to various educators, professionals, other researchers and communties.

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Tragic events happen every day to everyone. No one is an exception. In life, we all have obstacles we have to overcome. What happens if you can't? Sometimes things are already situated and we don't have any choice or option. A child, growing up in a foster home for example. Has no one to rely on. No family. No one is there to lend a helping hand when things get rough. Most children who are homeless tend to be from bad homes, or foster group home situations. Your highschool friend, could have become so ill they were unable to return to the workforce, therefore could no longer pay the mortgage on their house. Your grandmother, did not have enough to pay for her bills, rent and medications. There are so many reasons. These are just a few examples. Homelessness is a growing threat in our communities. And when I say 'threat' I mean it in a way that it's something we need to think of. It's ominous, it's there, you know it exists. You may even have some stereotypical notion about what you think homelessness is, or how people get there. Unless you ask every single person out there who has experienced homelessness, you will never know the how's and why's. The reasons are as diverse as our country.

"Homelessness has an impact on every community in Canada. It affects individuals, families, women fleeing violence, youth, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities" Canada.ca

and, Employment. “About Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy - Canada.ca.” Canada.ca, 2016, www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/homelessness.html.

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‌This information comes from the Government of Canada's website.

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I know we have all heard "My hard-earned taxes are not going to someone who is lazy". In fact, many people believe in the stereotypes of homeless people.
Did you know that it is cheaper to house a homeless person than it is for them to be homeless? How? Recent studies suggest that public consumption of shelters, cooling & warming stations, water, food (soup kitchens), public washrooms, jail, are all things that cost the taxpayer MORE! Not to mention, that living on the streets means less protection against things like abuse, physical altercations, illnesses, and diseases. This also suggests that the use of social programs such as our public health system eats up a lot of social resources.  Not all homeless struggle with addiction and mental illnesses. And certainly, homeless people are not lazy. The struggle for survival is not effortless for many.

"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" The Homeless Hub- Cost Analysis Of Homelessness.

“Cost Analysis of Homelessness | the Homeless Hub.” Homelesshub.ca, 2013, www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/cost-analysis-homelessness.

CRAAP check:
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is a group of people who gather facts and make that information available.

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There is no common blanket fix for homelessness. The list of needs for every single individual is an insane amount of things that may seem insurmountable. But what if we could take the common needs, like basic shelter, warmth, food...and compile them? Once we had a thorough plan for placement, then we could take a look at other needs, like mental health and wellness, and employment strategies. There is no easy fix, for certain. But the fixes and concerns are multi-faceted and can be implemented with the help of communties, local and federal government involvement. Like it or not, these people still make up our community. It is within our power to want to help these individuals who are facing crisis.

"Homelessness is a global human tragedy. But if we work together, we can make the world a better place for everyone. No matter how small the effort is, it can make a difference. You don't have to be a billionaire to inspire change. We can all help end homelessness in our own little ways" Ponio, Judy.

Ponio, Judy. “Top Reasons Why We Should Help the Homeless | OFHSoupKitchen.” Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen, 9 July 2020, ofhsoupkitchen.org/why-should-we-help-the-homeless.

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CRAAP check:
Judy Ponio cross-checks her sources, and her LinkedIn account suggests she is a teacher.

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‌https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/homelessness.html

https://ofhsoupkitchen.org/why-should-we-help-the-homeless

https://www.homelesshub.ca/

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2021001/article/00002-eng.htm

PiggyBank. “Photo by PiggyBank on Unsplash.” Unsplash.com, Unsplash, 13 Jan. 2022, unsplash.com/photos/8Wwft7EYzFg.

Darya Sannikova. “Man in Black Jacket Sitting on Sidewalk · Free Stock Photo.” Pexels.com, Pexels, 18 Mar. 2021, www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-jacket-sitting-on-sidewalk-7180320/.

Butler, Matthew. “High Tech Computer GIF by Matthew Butler.” GIPHY, GIPHY, 23 Mar. 2021, giphy.com/gifs/one-numbers-binary-code-QpVUMRUJGokfqXyfa1.

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House, Mercy. “Housing Homelessness GIF by Mercy House.” GIPHY, GIPHY, 21 Aug. 2020, giphy.com/gifs/MercyHouselc-mercyhouse-mercyhouselc-mercy-house-dWN3MYv7ka0V20Zz3E.

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