A Plague in Our Society: Homelessness

Put simply, the word homelessness is defined as the “state of having no home”, but how can a word justly encompass all the emotions that come along with having nowhere to go? A home is a place that one goes after a long day of school or work. Home is where long-lasting memories are made. More importantly, home is security; when that is stripped away, what is left? Approximately 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and the length of time they spend homeless continues to rise. We are extremely fortunate to have a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in, a bathroom to take a shower in, and food to fill our bodies, but that is not a reality for so many Canadians. What many people fail to realize is that the causes of homelessness are multi-faceted. Underpinnings of poor physical or mental health, filial abuse or violence, lack of employment or income, or a shortage of affordable housing are all factors to blame for this tragic situation. Over the last 25 years, youth shelter beds in Toronto have seen a 450% increase. Most of these youth are escaping dangerous filial situations, with 61% of homeless youth reporting being either physically or sexually abused by an adult at some point in their lives.

Let us not forget the unfortunate reality of hidden homelessness as well. One might believe that the only homeless people in society are the ones who sleep on the street and beg for money, however that is not the case. As many as 50,000 people make up the “hidden” homeless in Canada, which are individuals who temporarily stay with family or friends due to a lack of shelter.

The affordable housing crisis in Toronto specifically is one factor of homelessness that cannot be ignored. Post-pandemic, Toronto is seeing the effects of the shortages of homes on its population. The prices of these houses have drastically increased due to the stark demand,

meaning that middle to lower-income individuals or families are left with homes in the market that are incredibly outside of their budget. Although these prices are starting to decrease, the disparity is too great.

As a community, it is our responsibility to aid those who need our help. Seeing as the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee has declared homelessness a national disaster, the time for change is now. We need to be a voice for those that don’t have one, and that starts within the community. Considering the fact that winter is right around the corner, it is imperative to start donating now to homeless shelters nearby to aid homeless people through the harsh Canadian winter. Gathering winter gloves, hats, jackets, snow pants, scarves, sweaters, and other winter attire is definitely one way to get involved. We also must remember that those who are homeless oftentimes do not have food to put on their tables. Participating in the Finer Future Foundation food drive is one way to actively combat the food insecurity crisis. Donating non-perishable food items, sealed snacks, and foods that can be stored for a long time to The YWCA Toronto Shelter and Red Door Shelter would greatly help the homeless community in Toronto. As previously mentioned, homelessness is an ongoing crisis, and it is our job to be catalysts for change.