Social Locations – Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Equity Framework > Social Locations > Persons Experiencing Homelessness
In Toronto, over 7,400 people are homeless on any given night and this number is growing. Homelessness describes the situation of being without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing. It also includes lacking the immediate means of acquiring housing [1]. Homeless populations are diverse. Some groups are more likely to experience homelessness as a result of systemic barriers. Racialized groups in Toronto make up a larger proportion of the homeless population [2].
The above definition of homelessness does not capture the multi-dimensional nature of Indigenous homelessness. Indigenous homelessness is not limited to lacking a home. Instead, it can be understood as individuals, families, and communities cut off from their relationships to:
- land
- water
- place
- family
- kin
- each other
- animals
- cultures
- languages
- and identities [3]
Homelessness can result from systemic barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, individual circumstances, racism, and discrimination. In Toronto, the key drivers of homelessness are economic and housing market factors [1]. To learn more, please visit the Indicators page on Raising the Village for information about families experiencing homelessness and the Resilience and Support outcome.
References
- Fred Victor. (2023). Facts about homelessness in Toronto. Available from: https://www.fredvictor.org/facts-about-homelessness-in-toronto/
- City of Toronto. (2021). Street Needs Assessment Attachment 1. Available from: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/96bf-SSHA-2021-Street-Needs-Assessment.pdf
- Thistle, J. (2017.) Indigenous Definition of Homelessness in Canada. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press. Retrieved February 14, 2020, from https://homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/COHIndigenousHomelessnessDefinition.pdf