Refugees and Homelessness: Addressing Displaced Individuals
- Kaye Chang
- Jan 9, 2024
- 2 min read
In 2017, 9021 homeless-shelter-users were immigrants. This number only increased in 2019 to 10 077 immigrants out of a population of 118, 759 (Government of Canada, 2022). The growing number of homeless newcomers to Canada comes from a diverse array of problems. Perhaps the most prevalent issue being the immigration process itself: finding stable income and affordable housing while simultaneously navigating language and cultural barriers (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2021).
Homelessness for newcomers is only getting worse. According to Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, Toronto’s 9000-bed shelter system, could not accommodate the high volume of refugees in need. Individuals like Birck Teklau - a refugee from Ethiopia - have been turned away from the city’s shelter system for several days. Teklau had come to Canada hoping to escape political persecution only to be left on the streets (Jones, 2023).
Even when refugees are lucky enough to find shelter, accommodations are oftentimes not suitable to their needs. Saleem Spindari - manager of the Muslim Food Bank and Community Services Society - mentions how refugees are often put in the same spaces as homeless persons with substance abuse issues.
Disairrit, a Ugandan woman staying in one of these shelters, can attest to this statement. Disairrit mentions how it’s not only difficult to live with someone you don’t know, but also dangerous: that some individuals have “tools in their hand, they smoke and use drugs, but (she) never (does). (she is) afraid they (may) attack (her) or affect (her)” (Marif, 2023).
Shelters are also difficult places for refugees with big families. The rental supply simply doesn’t accommodate affordable spaces with multiple bedrooms: especially around cities supplying necessary services. This is an important issue for - according to Canadian Infrastructure - 63% of female refugees come with families (Government of Canada, 2022).
So, if there aren’t enough shelters - and shelters aren’t necessarily the best solution - what can be done? The Migration Policy Institute argues that the best solution is to invest in multisector housing task forces: social housing providers and private landlords that would ensure sustainable and safe solutions. Diversifying real estate - i.e, providing more than bachelor apartments - would improve living options for multigenerational families.
Improving information transformation would also greatly help the refugee crisis. Sharing health profiles and family status with overseas processing officers, will increase the chances of finding the best housing solutions. Refugees coming to Canada should also be provided with realistic information regarding the country’s housing system (Rose, 2019).
Works Cited
Government of Canada. (2022, Dec). Homelessness Data Snapshot: Homelessness Experienced by Newcomers to Canada. Infrastructure Canada. https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/homelessness-sans-abri/reports-rapports/data-newcomers-donnees-nouveaux-arrivants-eng.html
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (2021, Nov). Newcomers. The Homeless Hub. https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/population-specific/newcomers
Jones, R. (2023, June). Asylum Seekers Sleeping on Toronto Streets as at-capacity city shelters overwhelmed. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/refugee-asylum-seeker-shelters-1.6876287
Marif, D. (2023, Sept). Asylum Seekers come for a Better Life but end up Homeless in Canada. New Canadian Media. https://www.newcanadianmedia.ca/asylum-seekers-come-for-a-better-life-but-end-up-homeless-in-canada/
Rose, D. (2019, Nov). Creating a Home in Canada: Refugee Housing Challenges and Potential Policy Solutions. TransAtlantic Council on Migration.
