1.2 Statistics

Homelessness is a widespread issue that impacts a significant percentage of the population of most cities in Canada, including London, Ontario. The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2021) estimates that approximately 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and approximately 35,000 people experience homelessness on any given night. These figures illustrate the prevalence of the issue. With so many people experiencing homelessness, social stigma remains an important barrier to addressing the issue effectively.

Stigmatization not only impacts the social health of individuals experiencing homelessness but also worsens the challenges they experience in gaining access to housing, healthcare, and employment. Professionals dealing with individuals experiencing homelessness call forth the negative impact of such stigma and go on to say that those who are “undeserving” or “lazy” have less of a chance of being offered a job or accommodation, even when they can work and contribute to society. Such a perception of the public is not only detrimental to them but also renders homelessness more expensive. Research shows that homelessness is expensive for society, with the costs of emergency care, hospitalization, and shelters greatly outweighing the costs of providing stable residence and support (Gaetz et al., 2013). Therefore, addressing stigma and providing sufficient assistance networks for individuals experiencing homelessness is not just a moral imperative but also an economic imperative.

Misconceptions typically overstate negative stereotypes about homelessness that individuals experiencing homelessness are mentally ill or drug addicted. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (2020) reports that nearly one-quarter of homeless persons have reported mental illness, and more than one-third have substance abuse problems. However, such issues are usually the direct result of long-term exposure to trauma, poor living conditions, and systemic neglect of individuals who need assistance. Professionals in this sector state that most individuals who experience homelessness once led relatively stable lives before they were hit by some personal catastrophes, such as job loss, medical emergencies, or marital breakdowns, that resulted in them not having the resources to afford shelter.

The stigmatization of individuals experiencing homelessness is a multifaceted issue that reaffirms both individual and systemic barriers to recovery. Society must reassess its response to homelessness by critically examining the experiences of professionals with many years of experience working with this group. It is a problem that is solved not only by responding to the social systems that lead to homelessness but also by dismantling the stigmas that are in the way of practical assistance to this group. Only by combining humane public policies, community care, and a shift in the social mindset will we be able to reduce homelessness and provide people with the opportunities they need to rebuild their lives.