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About Youth Homelessness

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Myths vs. Facts

MYTH: Homelessness is their choice
FACT: Less than 6% of youth are homeless by choice.

Some of the primary reasons as to why youth are homeless are but not limited to conflict with parent/guardian, migration, unable to pay rent/mortgage, unsafe housing, and eviction. 

MYTH: They have serious mental health concerns

FACT: About 40% of homeless persons are estimated to have mental health concerns. Out of which 1% may need long term hospitalized care, while others may become self sufficient with necessary help. There is evidence that youth related their homelessness to concerns with their health and mental health that was left untreated due to lack of availability of support services.  

MYTH: They are heavy drug users 

FACT: Research shows that 1 in 5 homeless persons are substance abusers. Most of them are included within the 30% of those who have mental health concerns. 

MYTH: Most homeless persons live on the street

FACT: Over 80% of homeless persons in Canada are improperly housed or almost evicted. Many of whom find temporary shelter in friends' or families' places, welfare motels, abandoned buildings and vehicles and other sites awya from public eye. 

MYTH: They don't work.

FACT: Many homeless persons and youth earn a minimum wage, which is highly unlikely to be enough to support a family or pay rent in a city. Youth have reported to have experienced stigmatization and discrimination when applying for income support services, jobs and rent housing. Landlords are likely to be hostile to renting houses for youth. 

MYTH: They are dangerous

FACT: The likelihood of an encounter with a homeless person ending with risky outcomes is extremely rare. Homeless persons are often the victims of crimes, not the perpetrators. 

MYTH: They are to be blamed for their homelessness

FACT: Most homeless persons are victims and for many youth, their first experience of homelessness happens well before they have resources to access support services and interventions. Almost 1/4 of the homeless population are children. Individuals who were previously in foster care are more likely to be homeless as the transition from foster care. Most of the youth recognize that the origin of their homelessness are system malfunctions and failures. 

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Why youth become homeless

Physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect

Trauma from abuse can cause low self-esteem, inability to form trusting relationships with adults, depression, and increased chance of suicide attempts.

Exiting the welfare system

Many youth become too old or opt out of the child welfare system, leaving them with no support system, skills or foundation to establish a stable life.

Discrimination

Discrimination, such as racial discrimination, can compound barriers to education, access to support services and jobs, resulting in extreme poverty.

Homophobia

Up to 30% of homeless youth are 2SLGBTQ+. They are often pushed out of their homes by the discrimination by their family members.

Poverty

Some youth come from caring homes, but which suffer from poverty. Lack of resources or loss of housing can cause youth to become homeless.

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Homelessness and the Colonial Legacy

The end of the residential schools in the 60s were followed by the "60's scoop" whereby disproportionate numbers of Indigenous children were placed in the welfare system. In 1977, 44% of children in welfare systems in Alberta, 51% in Saskatchewan and 60% in Manitoba are Indigenous. This was often done despite family wishes. Bev Sellars, a Xat'sull author recalls in her memoir "They Called Me Number One" when a nurse wordlessly handed her adoption papers after the birth of her daughter. In many ways, the welfare system continues the legacy of colonial residential schools by uprooting Indigenous children from a stable home, their families and culture. As mentioned previously, one of the main reasons for youth homelessness is involvement with the welfare system. In understanding the current situation of youth homelessness, there must be a recognition of the contributions of colonial structures.

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References for this page

Gaetz, Stephen and Bill O'Grady "Backgrounder: Why do young people become homeless?" Homeless Hub - Educational Resources. York University, 2009


Sellars, Bev, and Mary Harrison. They called me number one: Secrets and survival at an Indian residential school. Talonbooks, 2013, pp. 147

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Stewart, Suzanne. "2.1 SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS." Mental Health & Addiction Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: 89.

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