What are 5 ways to End Homelessness?

This post is based on answers from Tim Richter from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) in a TweetChat on the State of Homelessness in Canada: 2013 report. But let’s unpack Tim’s answers a little more.

  • Set the objective of ending homelessness. This seems simple on the surface. But yet, many agencies and governments look at “how to make homelessness manageable” or “how to reduce homelessness”. We believe that homelessness can be ended as a chronic, systemic issue in Canada. A big piece of that is changing how we view response. Right now we often focus on the emergency response rather than looking at the prevention and housing issues that needed to be included.

Strategy

  • Build public and political support. We’ve talked before in this blog about the need to join together to create a national voice for housing and ending the homelessness crisis. Get involved and take action whether it be at an individualcommunity or national level.
  • Be relentless. Never give up. I’ve been working in the homelessness sector since the mid-1990s. A lot has changed in that time, both for better and worse. With a concerted effort from a large number of Canadians who stand together to raise their voices repeatedly we firmly believe that homelessness can be ended.

AUTHOR: Gulliver, Tanya (2014) Homeless Hub.

Publication Date: 
2014
Location: 
Canada