Canada is a country with a high level of economic development; however, the problem of homelessness among young people still exists. For instance, approximately 40,000 youth are homeless during the year, and 7,000 lack shelter on any given night (Homeless Hub, n.d.). Indeed, homelessness is a crucial problem in social work because it is rooted in the principles of fundamental human rights and respect for a person. Moreover, young people possess an enormous potential to contribute to the community and state. Hence, this issue needs to be raised and resolved to attain social justice and provide youth with education, jobs, training, and affordable housing. The Canadian government tries to support the homeless population through legislation and by opening specialized organizations. To exemplify, Covenant House Toronto (CHT) was founded to help young people without housing (Gaetz et al., 2013). Many socioeconomic factors influence this issue, preventing its complete resolution; still, the agencies, like CHT, help young people by giving them shelter and emotional support.
The main forces that impede the eradication of homelessness in Canada are socioeconomic factors. Specifically, one of the main reasons why youth live on the streets is poverty (Gaetz, 2018). The second factor is domestic violence which coerces children and adolescents to escape from their homes (Gaetz, 2018). The third and fourth factors, the lack of education and unemployment, are interconnected, resulting in inconsistent and low income and the inability to afford proper housing (Gaetz, 2018). Other causes include various forms of discrimination such as racism, homophobia, and gender stereotypes (Gaetz, 2018). It appears that unequal distribution of resources and opportunities leads to homelessness among young people.
Our country belongs to an affluent economy, yet we have so many young people living on the streets. We need the government to allocate appropriate resources to help one of the most vulnerable populations. Homelessness is a social issue and stems from many different factors which have ripple effects, and it became more evident when the pandemic began. Youth experiencing homelessness are unlikely to continue their education, find employment, and maintain social connections (Gaetz et al., 2013). Thus, social programs and governmental agencies are the only hope for these groups.
I have worked at CHT for the last 14 years and have observed a diverse group of youth seeking help. Furthermore, these people are at more significant risk for developing physical or psychiatric illnesses. Indeed, I have seen many young people whose situations did not change for the better because of three factors affecting their progress: poor mental health, substance use, and unemployment. Therefore, in this case, a multidisciplinary approach is required to address the issue from different angles.
In conclusion, a high rate of homelessness is a national disaster for a developed country like Canada. It is crucial to focus on empowering youth through social programs, helping them return to school, providing opportunities to receive professional training, and supporting them in their journey to get jobs. Overall, communities wanting to adopt a prevention approach need practical prevention and intervention programs tailored to local needs.
References
Gaetz, S. A. (2018). The roadmap for the prevention of youth homelessness. Homeless Hub.
Gaetz, S., O’Grady, B., Buccieri, K., & Marsolais, A. (2013). Youth homelessness in Canada: Implications for policy and practice. York Space.
Homeless Hub. (n.d.). How many people are homeless in Canada?