** Stephen Gaetz, Tanya Gulliver & Tim Richter

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Over the past 10 years we have learned much about what to do to end homelessness –

the need to shift from a focus on managing the problem (through an over-reliance on

emergency services and supports) to a strategy that emphasizes prevention and, for

those who do become homeless, to move them quickly into housing with necessary

supports. The success of the At Home/Chez Soi project demonstrates that with housing

and the right supports, chronically homeless people can become and remain housed.

While there are still areas that need work – we need more robust solutions for youth

homelessness, women fleeing violence and Aboriginal homelessness – we are figuring

out solutions on the intervention side.

The one missing piece of the puzzle, however, is affordable housing. The decline in

availability of low cost housing (and in particular, rental housing) affects many

Canadians – young people setting out on their own, single parents, people working

for low wages and the elderly. It also contributes to the homelessness problem in a

significant way.

The State of Homelessness in Canada 2014 sets the course for ending homelessness in

Canada. We know quite well what factors have contributed to the dramatic increase in

homelessness over the past 25 years. Since we know what the problem is, we can

propose the solution.

View the full report:

http://www.homelesshub.ca/SOHC2014