The definition of a house is not only limited to a roof over an individual’s head. Apart from shelter, housing has several other purposes in modern societies. It can be referred to as a significant investment for many homes and is also classified as an industrial sector because it provides jobs and revenue to people. Additionally, housing is a social good, which federal institutions endeavor to give to all income classes. Other than the mentioned functions, there are other components of the phenomenon that are further defined by housing policy, such as it being a tool for economic growth and a means to enhance the environment.
Furthermore, it can be used as a platform for social services and granting status since it is considered a basic human right. In Canada, homelessness is a sophisticated issue because no one chooses to be a victim. Conversely, the country’s existing social system has failed in identifying and supporting individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless. According to the State of Homelessness in Canada (2013), the condition in the region results from societal and social hindrances to a better life. Homelessness is not a single social issue but one that originates from various problems.
The correlated causes of housing insecurity include racism and discrimination, physical, financial, behavioral and mental challenges, and the lack of appropriate and affordable housing. Specifically, in Canada, homelessness is attributed to the housing market’s alterations, the economy in general, and constant changes in poverty-related policies. The problem of homelessness demonstrates the connection between system failures, structural factors, and individual conditions. Consequently, an analysis of the current housing and homelessness policies will help identify its issues and help in giving recommendations for improvement.
Analysis of the Problem
Identifying the Problem
In Canada, the housing industry is defined by high charges in the owner-occupied sector, reduction in social housing expenses, stiff private rental markets, which all combine to expand the affordability gap. Unfortunately, the current housing policies have allowed for such issues to control the state of homelessness in the country (Graham et al., 2017, p. 68). Consequently, with the current housing policy, most Canadians experience more suffering than they should relieve. Almost one-quarter of the entire region’s households, which is about 3.5 million households, are spending more than enough of their salaries on rental expenses. An affordability crisis is developing fast because the tenant incomes are reducing while the rents are growing higher than the country’s inflation rate (Ahajumobi & Anderson, 2020, p. 107). These statistics related to the policies are a reflection of increased poverty and inferior housing security, demanding affordable housing. However, some plans, such as the Ontario Housing Benefit, which have helped numerous families by directly funding households, are incapable of managing their housing costs.
Locating the Problem
Despite the housing challenges, the Canadian government has strategies in place to improve the condition with the help of local authorities. Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) is an example of the federal government’s plan with the Canada Housing and Corporation to give contributions meant to increase the distribution of off-reserve inexpensive housing. Related departments also facilitate the program in different territories and provinces. Between 2011 and 2014, Canada put in place a framework to invest $1.4 billion on housing and homelessness and further increased the amount to $1.9 billion from 2015 (Holcombe, 2019, para. 5). Currently, the Ministry of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Ministry of Families, Children, and Social Development are working on a Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) (CBC News, 2020b). The project is meant to support the nation’s economy and facilitate employment in the housing sector. $1 billion has been allocated to the program with the government planning to construct modular housing, acquire adequate land, and convert existing buildings into attainable housing (Holcombe, 2019, para. 2). Consequently, the National Housing Strategy (NHS) expects to create 3000 new housing units across Canada to boost the economy.
Determining the Context of the Problem
Vulnerable groups are the most affected by homelessness, and although human rights laws protect them, they have a high probability of experiencing poor economic and social conditions. Poverty is directly connected to inequality, specifically in women, racial minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Housing is one of the elements that determine an individual’s socio-economic status, and therefore, it is impossible to overlook impoverishment as the source of discrimination as social injustice (Graham et al., 2017, p. 81). Homelessness is an open expression of an individual’s embarrassing social and economic condition. In Canada, cities in Oratorio are worst affected by the condition, with an increase in the number of homeless people annually. For instance, families in Toronto account for 46 percent of the entire Canadian population using hostels and more than 5000 homeless children (Kivanç, 2020, para. 3). The problem of housing security is as much a social problem as it is an economic issue. Unfortunately, the existing policies such as the National Housing Act mainly focus on the physical aspect by setting up housing rehabilitation projects and improving neighborhoods.
Development Stage
Evaluating the Policy Framework
The country’s housing charges are high, and the citizens struggle to afford rent with the increasing inflation rates. However, the current policies focus too much on building affordable structures that they neglect the socio-economic issues that lead to homelessness in the region. Programs such as the RHI only develop affordable homes but do not solve the poverty issue. This measure is controversial because the residents are not able to pay for the cheaper houses as their income is below the minimum threshold. Most low-income earners are forced to choose between basic expenses such as food and housing. The various government ministries in charge should take a more extensive approach to formulate housing policies (Purdon & Palleja, 2019, para. 2). The fight against poverty should be the main objective in eradicating homelessness before making the homes affordable. Additionally, the majority of homeless individuals are either addicted or mentally ill, and therefore support programs should be the priority. Similar projects should be initiated to counter domestic violence and other forms of abuse that also lead to homelessness.
Assessing General Perception
Introducing the suggested ideas into the current housing policies will require sufficient support to ensure their assimilation. The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) is one body that can aid in improving the existing plan because it promotes inclusivity in the country by protecting and promoting human rights. The organization will be instrumental in pushing reforms in policy-making forums to accommodate the needs of marginalized communities which contribute to housing insecurity (Graham et al., 2017, p. 201). However, opposition is expected from the Ministry of Housing because they have invested billions in building affordable houses. Consequently, the federal and provincial governments will have to amend their budgets to cater for the proposed community-based programs (Purdon & Palleja, 2019, para. 6). Even though this will be an extra expenditure on top of the already running policies, one of the benefits includes the reduced number of homeless individuals who will be admitted to the programs. Aside from promoting housing security, the strategy will also be fighting social injustices such as discrimination.
Situating the Problem
There are various techniques that can be applied in amending policies. According to Graham et al. (2017, p. 188), taking an improvement approach rather than changing the entire housing policy is better because it gives room for feedback and is also cost-effective. The first step would be to identify the need, which are the socio-economic components of homelessness that have not been integrated as required in the existing programs and practices. Secondly, since the initiatives are meant for Canada as a community, it will be important to involve the residents by having forums with public bodies that represent their needs, such as the CHRC. Finally, the Ministry of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Ministry of Families, Children, and Social Development only focus on building affordable homes. Therefore, it is imperative that a special organization be created on a temporary basis to come up with policies that major on addressing poverty, mental illness, and domestic violence as sources of homelessness. Furthermore, regular forums should be organized to bring all concerned bodies to the same table, re-evaluate the policies.
Promotion Stage
Reviewing Existing Services
To implement the changes and improve the strategies for eradicating homelessness, the policy-change initiative will need support from important stakeholders. First, the federal and provincial governments are the overall overseers of all projects, and their primary tasks will be to fund the newly proposed programs and formulate the responsible bodies (Nelson et al., 2020, p. 258). Second, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will play a crucial role in pushing for the social and economic needs of families. The task will be supported by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services in various cities. Running community support and rehabilitation programs requires professionalism that can be availed by the docket. All the proposals will have to go through the federal government to consider the amendment of the housing policies before the treasury board releases the required funds.
Understanding Service User Experience
Reducing poverty levels, together with affordable housing, are the primary solutions to homelessness. Paying more attention to providing stable income sources is instrumental in construction of the cheaper houses. The income of the ordinary Canadian has to be high enough to match the increasing inflation rate. Furthermore, addressing mental illnesses, drug addiction, sexual abuse, and domestic violence through related programs will appeal more to the homeless’ emotional needs than only building houses. Currently, the country’s housing policy has shifted to supplying basic household items to families due to COVID-19 (CBC News, 2020a, para. 11). However, the government should start shifting its attention to social challenges leading to homelessness that will still affect the residents even after the pandemic is long gone.
Conclusion
Poverty and homelessness are linked to inequality because poor individuals are highly discriminated social group. Most people fall victim to this state because of their race, physical disability, socioeconomic status, and gender. Consequently, individuals who lack proper homes are usually restricted from accessing public and private spaces such as parks and restaurants. Furthermore, they are forced to live in dangerous environments, making it harder for the homeless to survive. The newly developed policy will focus on inclusivity, treating everyone with respect, and ensuring all socio-economic challenges are considered in availing desirable homes to all Canadians. Successful implementation of the practices will act as a template for other countries with the homelessness challenge.
References
Ahajumobi, E., & Anderson, P. (2020). Homeless Canadians’ perspectives on homelessness in Calgary. Journal of Social, Behavioral, And Health Sciences, 14(1).
CBC News. (2020). COVID-19 making life more dangerous, difficult for Canadians experiencing homelessness. CBC.
CBC News. (2020). Edmonton gets $17M of federal rapid-housing initiative | CBC News. CBC.
Graham, J., Shier, M., & Delaney, R. (2017). Canadian social policy: A new introduction (5th ed.). Pearson.
Holcombe, M. (2019). A Canadian organization is building tiny house communities for homeless veterans. CNN.
Kivanç, J. (2020). Toronto considering ambitious homeless housing plan in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. CBC.
Nelson, G., Aubry, T., Tsemberis, S., & Macnaughton, E. (2020). Psychology and public policy: The story of a Canadian housing first project for homeless people with mental illness. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 61(3), 257-268. Web.
Purdon, N., & Palleja, L. (2019). Meet some of the homeless in Canada’s largest city. CBC.
Appendix
Levels of Housing Policy Impact on Users
Systems Map
