Having a safe and stable place to call home is key to leading a healthy and happy life. In 2021, we asked Canadian households if they had ever experienced some form of homelessness in their lifetime. Over one in ten (11.2%) Canadians or 1,690,000 people said they had.
Homelessness is often thought of as living in a shelter or completely unhoused in a camp or public space. This kind of homelessness in Canada is called absolute homelessness, which 2.2% of households have experienced at some point. There are also many more Canadians (10.5%) who have experienced hidden homelessness, like couch surfing, because they had nowhere else to live.
Differences in Homelessness
This lack of stable housing can create differences between groups of people, with some more likely to have faced homelessness than others. For example, Indigenous households (29.5%) were almost three times as likely to have experienced some form of homelessness compared to the total population, while racialized (9.5%) and immigrant (8.3%) households were below the national average. Recent counts of homeless shelters across Canada found that 35% of respondents identify as Indigenous.
What makes people in Canada become homeless, and why have so many Canadians ended up without a home? We asked Canadians to tell us what happened before their homelessness, and for those who experienced hidden homelessness, we asked those who had been homeless for more than a month.
Homelessness Among Older Adults in Canada
People experiencing homelessness are considered older adults at age 50, as visible aging often happens younger for those without secure housing. These individuals often develop chronic medical conditions earlier, and age-related issues like memory problems.
The risk of early death for older people experiencing homelessness is 3.5 times higher than for those with homes. This risk is even higher for those becoming homeless later in life.
In 2021, 32% of people in Canadian shelters were aged 50 and older. Many older people also live outside or stay temporarily with friends or family.
Supporting Older Adults at Risk
To help older adults at risk of homelessness, having proper housing that meets their needs is crucial. Aging-related conditions, like memory problems and mobility issues, can make staying housed difficult. Solutions include tenancy monitoring programs, personalized in-home supports, and community programs to reduce loneliness. In-shelter health care programs, such as primary care and outreach programs, can also support older adults in shelters. Innovative housing models like The Oaks in Ottawa offer permanent supportive housing, helping older people find suitable homes. For some, long-term care homes may be the best option.
Addressing the Problem
Solving this growing issue needs teamwork between health, long-term care, public health, housing, and community supports. Using trauma-informed approaches is also vital for those who have faced hardship and trauma earlier in life.
Impact of Chronic Homelessness in Canada
People who are chronically unhoused live half as long as those with homes, age faster, have more health problems, and get sick at a younger age. Homelessness hits Indigenous, Black, refugee, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQ+ people the hardest.
To help solve this ongoing problem, some health networks are creating affordable housing for unhoused people. This new idea shows just how big the homelessness crisis is.
What makes people in Canada become homeless, and why have so many Canadians ended up without a home? We asked Canadians to tell us what happened before their homelessness, and for those who experienced hidden homelessness, we asked those who had been homeless for more than a month.
