HOMELESSNESS

Research Highlights

• Many households earning a full-time minimum wage income are paying more than 30% of their income in rent.
• Families with young children are the fastest growing homeless group in Canada.
• The visibly homeless people on the street represent only 20% of Canada’s homeless population.
• The average homeless person in Canada is under the age of 16  (Source: Toronto Disaster Relief Committee).
• And in Guelph & Wellington…
  • One in five Guelph and Wellington households is at risk of homelessness.
  • There are approximately 80% more applications for affordable housing in Guelph and Wellington County than there are available units. 

Research Profile on Homelessness
Homelessness refers to “anyone without a permanent address, or adequate and suitable shelter”¹.  This includes people living in structures not intended as dwelling places (i.e. cars), people who are institutionalized, as well as those living temporarily with family or friends.

Three types of homelessness have been identified as present within Canadian communities:
Absolute homelessness refers to people who have no access to adequate and permanent shelter. 
Concealed homelessness refers to individuals and families who are unable to afford housing of their own and are forced to live with family and friends. 
At risk of homelessness refers to people who are inadequately housed, who pay 30% or more of their household income into housing, or whose lease is about to expire or are about to be evicted². 

Risk & Contributing Factors
All people living in poverty, and some middle-income people whose work and life situations are unstable and problematic, face the potential of being “dehoused” by the normal dynamics of daily life³.  It only takes a couple of months without having enough cash available to pay the rent and utilities.  If there is little or no support from other informal networks the chances of becoming homeless are greatly increased.
 
Who is most at risk of homelessness?
Households paying more than 30% of their income on housing are considered to be at risk of homelessness.  Those paying more than 50% of their income on housing are highly at risk of homelessness.
 
Among those most likely to be unable to afford market housing prices are single, elderly females, lone parent families with young children, young people between the ages of 18 and 24, people who live alone, people with low paying jobs, and many people living in rural parts of Wellington County (Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton) where incomes are lower and jobless rates are higher⁴.  Tenants are more vulnerable than homeowners to homelessness.
 
The basic underlying cause of homelessness is poverty, which can be compounded by issues of mental and physical illness, domestic abuse, lack of employment or income, and a shortage of affordable housing in the community. 

Social Assistance
People relying on social assistance are finding it increasingly difficult to afford decent housing, as the real value of welfare has decreased dramatically since the 1990s and rents continue to rise. A single parent with one child is entitled to $14,251 in total welfare income for the year, while the annual average cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Guelph is $9,960, leaving only $4,291 - less than $360 per month - to cover utilities and all other household needs.

Social Assistance Rates and Average Rent for Guelph, 2005⁵.

Low Income
Individuals and families earning low incomes are often unable to afford market prices for housing. Minimum wage rate hikes have not kept pace with inflation, nor with the increases in housing costs.

Minimum Wage Rates and Average Rents for Guelph, 2000⁶.
      

Women
The factors that generate poverty are more apparent in women, including lower average incomes.  Women are more likely than men to become homeless as a result of family crises (e.g. marital breakdown, widowhood).  Elderly women are particularly vulnerable to homelessness.  They tend to live longer than men, and are therefore more likely to live alone.  They are also less likely to have participated in the formal labour force and to be covered by private pension plans⁷.

Aboriginal People
Aboriginal people are over-represented in homeless populations in every major city for which there are statistics.

The Prevalence of Homelessness
The long-term, or “chronically”, homeless people that we see living on the street represent only 20% of the homeless population in Canada.  Families with young children are rapidly becoming the fastest growing homeless group⁸.
 
Homelessness in Canada
Any attempt to measure exact numbers of homeless in Canada would be seriously flawed because it would fail to account for the numbers of people who are sleeping on friends’ couches or living with family members because they cannot afford to move out on their own.  That being said, Covenant House in Toronto estimates that approximately 33,000 people in Canada are homeless on any given night, of which an estimated 8,000 to 11,000 are youth.  The recent 2006 Street Needs Assessment conducted by the City of Toronto counted 5,052 homeless individuals in Toronto on the night of April 19, 2006.  Furthermore, in 2001 approximately 570,000 households in Canada were paying more than 50% of their income for housing, putting them highly at-risk of homelessness⁹.

Homelessness in Guelph & Wellington
• Shelter Services
No statistics are available for the exact number of homeless people in Guelph and Wellington County.  According to County of Wellington statistics, their emergency housing services were accessed 1,104 times, but this number includes multiple stays and does not provide any information about the actual number of individuals involved. 
• At Risk of Homelessness
Of the people in Guelph and Wellington County who are housed, 4,950 (19%) of non-farm households in Wellington County and 9,105 (22%) of households in Guelph pay 30% or more of their annual income into housing.  In Guelph there are 3,770 households paying more than 50% of their income into housing costs, and over 60% of these are tenants¹⁰. 
• Social Housing
Social housing comprises 15% of all rental housing in Guelph.  From January to April 2006, an average of 129 individuals and families per month applied for social housing, while only 25 units became available.  There are approximately 80% more applicants each month than those being housed.  Among those applying for social housing, 64% rely on Disability payments, Ontario Works or a pension as their primary source of income¹¹.

Cost of Housing
Housing Costs
Housing costs have increased steadily in Guelph and have outpaced inflation by 20%¹².  New private sector rental housing is not being built quickly enough to meet the need.  The presence of the University of Guelph in the city contributes to the problem, as student demand drives up rental rates.

Increases in Average Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Guelph, 1999-2004¹³.

Vacancy Rates
Guelph’s vacancy rate has increased steadily from a low of 0.5% in 1999. The 2005 rate of 3.6% is only slightly lower than the provincial average of 3.8%. A low vacancy rate limits the number of apartments and homes available for lease and this scarcity encourages rents to increase¹⁴.

Social Housing
There are 2,754 permanent social housing units in Guelph and Wellington, 1,189 of which are owned and operated by the County of Wellington.  Of these, 516 are in the County and the remainder are in Guelph.  Social housing constitutes 5.5% of residential units in Guelph and 1.9% of residential units in Wellington County.  As mentioned earlier, this supply does not meet local demand for assisted housing, as applications outpace vacancies by 80% in an average month¹⁵.

Effects of Homelessness
Social Exclusion
Having no permanent address means being excluded from the normal patterns of everyday life.  People without a home are the most completely excluded group of people in society.  Without a physical structure to call “home” in the social, psychological and emotional sense, the day-to-day struggle for survival takes precedence over all other activities¹⁶. 
 
Health Care
People without housing face considerable problems in trying to access mainstream medical services.  Studies of children in cramped, temporary accommodation reported behavioural problems, depression, disturbed sleep, bed-wetting, toilet training problems, and violent mood swings.  Once a person is housed, meaningful and effective social, mental and physical health interventions can build on the stability and safety that housing represents.
 
In numerous studies, evidence has shown that there is a strong correlation between neighbourhoods with poor quality housing and lower health outcomes¹⁷.

Community Supports & Services
The housing services in Guelph and Wellington County range from shelter services, supports to remain housed, and assistance in finding adequate and affordable housing.  The following is a brief description of some of the available services.
 
Change Now Youth Drop-In and Resource Centre
Services include access to showers, laundry facilities, a music room, gym-based recreational programming, expanded Life-Skills Groups, a food program, and a Youth Overnight Emergency Shelter Program. The shelter is available to youth aged 16 to 21, for a maximum period of 56 out of 84 days, while the Drop-In Centre resources are free for anyone age 13 to 24.
 
Community Resource Centre – Outreach and Support Program, Information and Referral Service
Provides support and assistance to the community around issues of safe and affordable housing, income supports, crisis intervention, one-to-one support and advocacy.  Also provides information and referral support for a variety of community services.  These services and supports are available in the communities of Centre Wellington, Wellington North, Mapleton and Minto, and are administered from the main office in Fergus.
 
County of Wellington Social Services – Wellington and Guelph Housing Services
The County of Wellington owns and operates 892 apartments and 297 family units which are available to households with rent based on 30% of their income, with the cost of utilities also adjusted.  The office of the County also provides a free Housing Resource Centre allowing people to access information about rental housing and landlords in Guelph and Wellington.
 
Wellington County also operates a Provincial Rent Bank which provides funding for rent arrears for people in danger of losing their accommodations because they are behind in rent. The fund is to ensure housing stability for those with short-term arrears and who are facing eviction. Tenants may apply for this assistance once in a two-year period.
 
The Energy Emergency Fund covers energy arrears (including hydro, gas, oil, and other forms of energy), security deposits and reconnection costs. These supports are all paid directly to the energy providers. Individuals may receive emergency assistance from this fund only once.

Fresh Start Housing Centre
Services at the Centre are available to anyone needing assistance in finding housing and include a market rent landlord registry, access to telephones and the internet, newspaper listings, help resolving landlord/tenant issues and referrals to find emergency housing, food and household goods, legal assistance and community support services. 
 
Guelph Community Health Centre
Offers medical services to clients including annual check-ups, immunizations, and illness treatment.  The Guelph Community Health Centre assists the homeless population by holding an ID clinic once a week to help people replace lost or stolen ID.  The Health Centre also provides home visits and health services to people in drop-in centres and shelters in downtown Guelph.
 
Marianne’s Place – Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis
Marianne’s Place offers temporary shelter for women and their children experiencing physical, emotional, sexual, verbal and/or financial abuse.  The location of the shelter is confidential and women are supported in maintaining their safety while staying at Marianne’s Place.  When possible, women and their children are provided with private bedrooms, while it is necessary to share common spaces such as living rooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, and recreation and play rooms.
 
Welcome In Drop-In Centre
The Drop-In Centre provides emergency housing and shelter services for men and women in the Guelph and Wellington area.  The Stepping Stone Emergency Shelter and Elizabeth Place offer short-term food and shelter to men and women, respectively, and also provide social worker consultations and community service referrals.  Dwelling Place is another supported shelter, which provides longer-term supportive housing for up to 5 adults with rent geared to income.
 
The Last Month’s Rent Fund is a program designed to assist individuals in obtaining housing by providing financial assistance for the last month rent deposit and/or half the hydro deposit.  The Drop-In Centre will phone landlords and other services to advocate for individuals requiring housing support or assistance with hydro and gas.
 
The Winter Warmth Fund is a joint initiative between the United Way and Union Gas; it is administered locally by the Welcome In Drop-In Centre.  The program provides one-time financial assistance to low-income individuals and families whose gas bills are in arrears.  Funds are credited directly to the applicant’s Union Gas account.
 
Wyndham House
Operates two cooperative living residences, one for men and one for women, between the ages of 16 and 21 who are in full-time educational programs and are unable to live in their parents’ homes.
 
Wyndham House also provides two emergency bed programs for men and women, respectively, for up to 14 days. Youth Support Team workers provide support and guidance until other life plans can be established.  During their stay, residents must abide by all the house roles and those registered in school are expected to continue attending.
 
*Of the above mentioned programs, the United Way of Guelph & Wellington funds and supports Change Now, the Community Resource Centre, the Welcome In Drop-In Centre & Wyndham House.

What are the Social Service Issues in Guelph and Wellington?

• Emergency survival measures, such as shelters, should only be the initial response mechanism for the briefest period of time, not the primary option.
• Gaps in housing supports include affordable housing, government funding, waiting lists, and transportation.
• There is an overwhelming need for non-profit, affordable housing.  Without affordable housing, many families are unable to supply themselves with basic necessities and are at constant risk of eviction.
• While there are a limited number of supportive housing units for people with physical and mental disabilities, there needs to be much more.  Supportive housing is a key component of eviction prevention.
• There has been a noted increase in the numbers of people suffering from chronic and debilitating mental health and substance abuse issues in Guelph.  Without continuing community supports many are unable to remain housed.
• Despite improvement in rental housing production, and despite higher vacancy rates, there is still insufficient rental housing to meet the needs of the community.

1. Wellington and Guelph Housing Committee (2003).  Community Plan to Address Homelessness in Guelph-Wellington, 2003 Update.  Guelph, Ontario: Wellington and Guelph Housing Committee.
2. Hulchanski, D. (n.d.).  What is Homelessness?  Retrieved May 13, 2006, fromhttp://www.raisingtheroof.org/lrn-home-QandA-index.cfm#1.
3. County of Wellington (2005).  Wellington and Guelph Housing Strategy.  Guelph, Ontario: County of Wellington.
4. County of Wellington (2005).  Wellington and  Guelph Housing Strategy.  Guelph, Ontario: County of Wellington.
5. National Council of Welfare Reports (2005).  Welfare Incomes 2004.  Vol. #123.  Ottawa, Ontario:  Ministry of Public Works and Government Services Canada.  Also, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (2005).  Where’s Home? 2005: A Picture of Housing Needs in Ontario.  Toronto, Ontario:  Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association & Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region.
6. National Council of Welfare Reports (2004).  Income for Living?  Vol. #120.  Ottawa, Ontario:  Ministry of Public Works and Government Services Canada.  Also, Weimer, B. (2001).  FastFax: Rental Market Report Guelph.  Kitchener, Ontario: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
7. Dombrow, P. & Tai, B. (2006).  Community Plan to Address Homelessness in Guelph-Wellington: 2006 Update.  Unpublished report, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
8. Ibid.
9. Girard, M. (2005, May 17-20).  Homeless Counts: What we Know and How Data is Collected.  Paper presented at the Canadian Conference on Homelessness, Toronto, Ontario.
10. County of Wellington (2005).  Wellington and Guelph Housing Strategy.  Guelph, Ontario: County of Wellington.
11. County of Wellington (2006).  Centralized Waiting List Stats Update: January 1 – April 30, 2006.
12. Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (2006).  Retrieved May 14, 2006, from http://www.onpha.on.ca.
13. Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (2005).  Where’s Home? 2005: A Picture of Housing Needs in Ontario.  Toronto, Ontario:  Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association & Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region.
14. Ibid.
15. County of Wellington (2006). Centralized Waiting List Stats Update: January 1 – April 30, 2006.
16. Hulchanski, D. (n.d.).  What is Homelessness?  Retrieved May 13, 2006, from http://www.raisingtheroof.org/lrn-home-QandA-index.cfm#1.
17. TD Bank (2003).  Affordable Housing in Canada: In Search of a New Paradigm.  TD Economics – Special Report.  June 17, 2003.