Homelessness at a Global Level
- Bhavya Goel
- Oct 10, 2023
- 2 min read
While our focus at Finer Future has primarily centered on homelessness in Canada, it’s time to widen our lens and acknowledge the global scale of this issue. Even in one of the most developed countries like Canada, homelessness exists. This raises a crucial question: what is the extent of homelessness on a worldwide scale? Shockingly, there are approximately 1.6 billion people suffering from homelessness globally, accounting for around 20 percent of the world’s population. However, arriving at a precise number is challenging due to varying definitions of “homelessness' ' across different countries. Today, we will explore this global challenge.
Common Causes of Homelessness:
Stagnant Wages: The global trend of stagnant wages in the face of rising living costs is a fundamental driver of homelessness. This economic reality leaves individuals struggling to meet even basic needs, let alone save for emergencies or housing.
Unemployment: The scourge of unemployment, experienced differently in various countries, is a significant catalyst for homelessness. Prolonged joblessness often becomes the tipping point into homelessness.
Lack of Affordable Housing: High housing costs are a universal challenge, stemming from a growing population that outpaces the rate of housing construction. This imbalance skyrockets property prices, rendering them unaffordable for many.
Poverty: A global phenomenon, poverty on a linchpin in the cycle of homelessness. Stagnant Wages, Unemployment, and high costs for housing and healthcare collectively contribute to the cycle of poverty.
Racial Inequality: Racial disparities play a significant role in homelessness, particularly in countries with diverse ethnicities. Minorities face disproportionate challenges in employment opportunities, fair wages, and overall societal respect.
Conflicts and Domestic Violence: Beyond physical abuse, emotional traumas within households, often escalated by conflicts, can lead to homelessness. This is particularly true for LGBTQ+ individuals who face rejection upon coming out.
Education and Empathy:
To combat homelessness, recognition of the problem is the crucial first step. It is a social issue that demands a collective response. Raising awareness and dispelling myths about homelessness is imperative. It is time to view homeless individuals as fellow human beings, not as societal outcasts. Through education, empathy and a shared commitment to change, we can take significant strides towards a world where homelessness is a distant memory.
Furthermore, fostering collaboration between governments, NGOs, communities, and individuals is essential. This multifaceted issue requires a comprehensive approach, combining policy reforms, targeted interventions, and community driven initiatives. By working together, we can create a society that not only acknowledges the existence of homelessness but actively works towards its eradication, ensuring a brighter, more secret future for all.
Works Cited
Daniil Filipenco. (28 Feb 2023). Homelessness statistics in the world: Causes and facts
humanrightcareers. (n.d.). 10 root Causes of homelessness https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/root-causes-of-homelessness/#:~:text=family%20into%20homelessness.-,Poverty,a%20person's%20or%20family's%20risk.
