Homelessness in Canada has grown in size and complexity in recent years. While historically known as a crisis only of urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal, the increasing incidence of homelessness in the suburbs is necessitating new services and resources.

The demographic profile of Canada’s homeless population is also changing. While in the past men used to comprise the vast majority of homeless persons, now women and children represent the fastest growing subgroup of the homeless population, followed by youth. In recent years homelessness has become a major political issue in Canada.

Definition

The lack of a consistent definition of homelessness is a contentious issue, however most research and programs focus on “absolute homelessness.” The definition of homelessness is critically important to the evaluation of programs, resource allocations, and public policy initiatives.

Absolute homelessness is what is commonly thought of as “the homeless”. This includes people sleeping outdoors in parks or ravines, begging on the sidewalk, etc.

Sheltered homeless are those who make use of emergency shelters.

Hidden or concealed homeless are people who have lost their homes and are temporarily housed with friends or relatives, “couch surfing”, or doubled up with other families.

The at-risk homeless includes people who are living in substandard or unsafe housing and persons who are spending a very large proportion of their monthly income on housing.

Scope

While counting the homeless is a politically charged and methodologically contentious issue, the federal estimate of the number of homeless people in Canada was 150,000 in 2005, or about 0.5 per cent of the population. Homeless advocates estimated it to be closer to 300,000. Based on the more conservative figure, the annual cost of homelessness in Canada in 2007 was approximately 4.5 to 6 billion in emergency services, community organizations, and non-profits.