Inclusion And Empowerment: Supporting Disabled Homeless Individuals
- Anaisha Jain
- Oct 1, 2023
- 3 min read
In Canada roughly 1.3 million people encounter homelessness for indefinite periods in their life, with 45% of these people further experiencing mental issues or disabilities. These disabilities can hinder their ability to access support services and housing options. Some of these people make it out of their situation, some don’t. This poses a question: How can we make affordable housing and support for disabled homeless people?
Homelessness and impairments are frequently linked in a downward spiral. People with disabilities are more likely to become homeless, and being homeless can aggravate their disability. A person with a physical impairment, for example, may struggle to locate accessible housing, while prolonged homelessness can lead to medical and mental health difficulties, further aggravating their position. This cycle emphasises the critical need for targeted initiatives that address both housing and assistance for people with disabilities.
Nevertheless accessible housing is not a luxury that is easily given to disabled homeless people; there is a denial of support services and attainable housing for homeless people, along with the stipend that the government’s disability programme pays, barely allow them to pay a month’s rent affordably. Conversely, housing for disabled people is becoming more frequent, as the awareness is spreading. Ontario has integrated supportive housing programmes into an initiative to provide affordable housing for disabled homeless people. This will allow flexibility for homeless people to live independently or with housing assistance.
However, accessible housing will not suffice to help the various needs of people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. Extensive support services play a vital role in aiding them regain stability. Providing psychiatric care, physical or mental therapy, or counselling can help disabled people in the long run, especially when they are going through harsh conditions due to their homelessness. Additionally, the Canadian government should provide an extensive policy or programmes for those suffering with disabilities and homelessness, and have enhanced income security programmes.
Furthermore, to aid people in such conditions, governments should devote more resources to building accessible homes and expanding support services for individuals with disabilities who are homeless. Along with this, having preventive measures, such as eviction prevention programmes and mental health services, should be implemented to keep people with disabilities from becoming homeless in the first place. Encouraging coordination among housing agencies, healthcare providers, social service providers, and advocacy groups in order to offer comprehensive assistance for people with disabilities can further support disabled people. Lastly, raising knowledge of the difficulties that persons with disabilities encounter while they are homeless, and encouraging, compassion within communities.
Homelessness is a cycle hard to get out of, particularly for people who are experiencing disablement. Empowering them and spreading awareness is one of the many ways we can help such people. To quote Syesha Mercado, “Before you ignore another homeless person on the street, just remember that they could be someone’s father or someone’s mother, and they have a story”.
Citations:
Unknown. “People with disabilities”. homeless hub. Canadian observatory on homelessness.
Unknown. “How many people are homeless in Canada?”. homeless hub. Canadian observatory On homelessness https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/population-specific/people-disabilities
Stone, Beth. Wertans, Emily. “Disabled people are disproportionately affected by homelessness, and getting support feels 'nearly impossible''”. homeless hub. The conversation. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-disabled-people-disproportionately-affected-homelessness.html
Unknown. “Meeting Canada’s Obligations to Affordable Housing and Support for People with Disabilities to Live Independently in the Community”. UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing. https://inclusioncanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Canada-Right-to-Housing-for-Persons-with-Disabilities-May-15-2017.pdf
Balintec, Vanessa. “Financial support to keep people with disabilities housed falls short of what's needed: advocates”. CBC News. Jul 23, 2023.
Unknown. “Housing for People with Disabilities”. Cortree. https://www.cortree.com/help/housing/
