Summary

We have asked many questions throughout this book and found that, despite their apparent simplicity, the answers to them have been rather complex. In this final concluding chapter, we asked the questions, “Can we end homelessness? How?” We found that although the researchers we spoke to may have highlighted different aspects, there were four key priorities that came through loud and clear. To end homelessness in Canada, we must create deeply affordable housing, as a human right. To end homelessness in Canada, we must implement individualized choice-based supports to meet people’s unique needs. To end homelessness in Canada, we must hold the government accountable for social policy, past, present, and future. To end homelessness in Canada, we must prevent it from occurring through systemic change.

Ending homelessness requires that we all understand that it is not an individual-level problem but rather an issue that is created and sustained by our society. We have heard that homelessness is not natural or inevitable. As we move towards ending it in our country, we must collectively adopt an approach that is trauma-informed, person-centered, socially inclusive, and situated within a social determinants of health framework. Ending homelessness is all of our responsibility because it is an issue that impacts all of our society.

We hope that by reading this book you have developed a keener sense of the complexity of homelessness. While we often hear that housing is the solution, we have to also realize that there are many additional issues and factors to consider. After much deliberation, we decided to call this book, “Understanding Homelessness in Canada: From the Streets to the Classroom.” It is our sincere hope that you take your new understanding of homelessness from the classroom back out into the streets.