Geography of Toronto - Midterm -2 questions and answers.

Homelessness can be: Managed Solved Prevented (the best option) -With the right amount of resources, the problem can be solved, however, it is better and easier to prevent it in the first place Homelessness growth Since 1960, homelessness has been growing 6 times faster than the overall population and mass homelessness has emerged since the mid-1980s Intersectionality Approach - Homelessness has different causes - Some populations are more vulnerable because of racism, sexism, classism, transphobia, homophobia, mental health issues, ableism etc. - Recognizes the impact of systemic discrimination on the risk of homelessness Emergency Response - Scramble to find solutions in the first chart when winter time comes around - it needs to be constant and can be ineffective/not be able to reach everybody - necessary but not effective as primary solution Prevention & Accommodation + Supports - makes more sense to put more time and money into prevention and accommodation & support - there will be drastically less need for emergency response when these are provided Predicting V.S. Preventing predicting homelessness is often impossible, preventing homelessness is not Preventing Homelessness - being able to assess and improve the conditions that lead to homelessness - requires the involvement of all 3 levels of government and of relevant community-based service providers - All three levels sit at the same table and find common solutions For example federal government allows in refugees and sends them to the city with no support where they have no choice but to be homeless because they don't have proper access to resources - looking at root causes and addressing them Types of Prevention - Primary prevention - Secondary prevention - Tertiary prevention Primary prevention - it applies to everyone - Raising the minimum wage- will not just benefit homeless people but will benefit everyone Secondary prevention - it applies to those at imminent risk of homelessness - Haven't paid last month's rent and don't have money for this month's rent, will receive an eviction notice and risk being evicted, provide financial support Tertiary prevention - it applies to those who have previously experienced homelessness - In certain circumstances to become homeless, then gain resources, and possibly become homeless again, this level helps people address the root cause of the problem that puts them at risk of being homeless Typology of Homelessness Prevention - Structural prevention - System prevention - Early intervention - Eviction prevention - Housing stability Structural prevention - addresses factors that leave people at risk of homelessness, through legislation, policy and investment - Investing in public housing System prevention - responds to institutional/system failures that contribute to homelessness - Looking at groups that have the highest rate of homelessness, address this, for example, people with disabilities having trouble finding/keeping work, it is needed to educate people to understand the struggles and empathize with these people Early intervention - aims at those at imminent risk of homelessness - Groups who may become homeless Eviction prevention Dangerous to stay outside, especially dangerous for children Housing stability - measures that help people retain housing - Help people to re-gain and keep housing Homelessness costs money: - Cost of shelters - Cost of policing the homeless