How We Harm Homeless People In Our Personal Growth?

The aspirations for individuals experiencing homelessness resonate within all of us, a collective desire for them to emerge from adversity and lead fulfilling lives. Yet, some of our actions trigger the challenges faced by the homeless. While these actions may seem aligned with personal growth, it is crucial to understand their broader societal impact. Today, let’s delve into how certain behaviours contribute to the escalating homeless population.

1. Individuals Owning Multiple Homes: In Canada, the trend of acquiring multiple homes, akin to purchasing everyday items, is notably prevalent among the Baby Boomer generation. This accumulation of housing assets, often undertaken as a retirement strategy, concentrates property ownership in fewer hands. Consequently, the increased demand for rental properties inflates rental prices, rendering homes unaffordable for a significant portion of the population. The consequence is a surge in homelessness as more individuals find themselves economically displaced.

2. Limited Competition in Essential Services: Essential industries such as telecommunications, energy, and groceries are often dominated by a handful of major players. The lack of healthy competition in these sectors contributes to soaring prices. Post-pandemic, inflation has reached unprecedented levels, with grocery prices escalating by over 200 percent in just two years. Simultaneously, internet costs per gigabyte in Canada rank among the highest globally. These exorbitant prices for basic necessities present a formidable challenge for families striving to meet their fundamental needs, potentially pushing them toward homelessness.

3. Automation, Displacing Basic Pay Jobs: Technological advancements and automation, while fostering increased efficiency, concurrently lead to the elimination of many basic paying jobs. The implications of such progress are profound, particularly for those whose livelihoods are intricately tied to these jobs. While technological innovation contributes to economic growth, the question arises: How willing are decision-makers to balance efficiency gains with the ethical responsibility manifested in increased unemployment and consequently an augmented homeless demographic?

These actions, though seemingly disconnected, weave a complex tapestry that influences the social landscape, contributing to the homelessness predicament. Recognizing the broader consequence of our actions is the first step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, where the aspirations of all individuals, irrespective of their housing situation, can be realized.

Works Cited

Yan Barcelo. (2 November 2019). Why Are Boomers Being Blamed for Canada’s Housing Crisis?   https://www.morningstar.ca/ca/news/240905/why-are-boomers-being-blamed-for-canadas-housing-crisis.aspx 

Timothy J. Richards, Bradley Rickard. (18 April 2020). Covid 19 impact on fruit and vegetable markets.  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cjag.12231 

Dick Rockstroh. (2 August 2013). How technology is Destroying Jobs https://www.shellpoint.info/InquiringMinds/uploads/Archive/uploads/20130802_How_Technology_is_Destroying_Jobs.pdf