丁香园AV

Check out this op-ed from Dr. Sarah Canham featured in The Conversation and reprinted in The National Post.

In Vancouver last month, more than 400 volunteers walked around, carrying clipboards and wearing bright yellow buttons that read 鈥淗omeless Count.鈥� They were out on the streets or in shelters asking homeless people to complete brief surveys for the co-ordinated by the .

I spent one evening at a shelter, one block east of Main and Hastings. This intersection is at the heart of the Downtown Eastside, a neighbourhood in Vancouver that is home to a diverse group of people, many who struggle with socioeconomic and housing challenges and others affected by issues of mental health and substance use. To meet the significant need, a large number of social service agencies are concentrated in the Downtown Eastside.

Last year, the Vancouver Homeless Count determined that the Although the group of people staying at the shelter on the night I visited represented many identities, there were some patterns that I noticed.

The 鈥榙ream鈥� of old-age

My research team from is collaborating with HSABC and Providence Health Care to explore the issues surrounding homelessness. We have heard from health-care and shelter providers throughout Metro Vancouver that it feels as though the number of older persons who are experiencing homelessness and looking for support in the shelter system is increasing. In 2017, the stark reality for older adults became apparent as This was up from 18 per cent in 2014.

Many Canadians may envision their older age as a time when they can finally relax, no longer worry about the stresses of working a regular job. They may hope to spend more time with family and friends. But for many older adults, this idyllic stereotype is unattainable.

Many older adults are at-risk for homelessness as they live pension cheque to pension cheque, with limited prospects for employment.

The showed that British Columbia has more adults over 65 living in poverty than any other province or territory in Canada.

Indigenous are overrepresented

Low income isn鈥檛 the only cause for homelessness. There are many possible reasons for the increasing numbers of homeless people. Social isolation is a

Chronic health conditions, limited affordable housing stock and a lack of employment opportunities are other culprits.

Public attitudes towards the homeless vary.

But that systemic issues significantly contribute to low income and housing insecurity. Longstanding discrimination and exclusion have prevented many people 鈥� women, people of colour and Indigenous people 鈥� from accumulating the wealth needed to live comfortably in later life.

Data on U.S. cities shows that . In Metro Vancouver,

Reduce blame

In addition to reducing the blame and shame typically associated with homelessness, there is an urgent need for additional housing options for older adults.

Advocates have been developing housing models that coordinate support services like housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation to doctor鈥檚 appointments. 鈥� an example of an evidence-based model that views housing as a human right 鈥� . It is a concept which looks at housing as the necessary foundation to support chronically or episodically homeless single adults who have , and also provides clients with in-home supports.

Similar models of housing plus support should be developed 鈥� so more older adults can age in the right place and be provided with the integral supports they need.

During the Homeless Count, a homeless older man I spoke with said the data is important: it brings vital evidence to those advocating for more affordable housing. However, as a researcher in this field I believe even one person experiencing homelessness is one too many.