Deinstitutionalization Of Homelessness In Canada

Homelessness in Canada
Homelessness is not an error of people, caused by their characteristics or mistakes, but instead, by society 's and governments ' actions or failures to act in the areas of poverty, deinstitutionalization, and the shrinking supply of affordable housing. At the root of homelessness is poverty, and the growing number of poor is leaving many without shelter, or a roof over their heads. Deinstitutionalization was originally seen as an appropriate way to maximize resources, but insufficient reinforcement has led to vagrancy. The rising cost of rent and housing has made it difficult to pay for other basic necessities such as food, leading to homelessness as the only option. However, if prevention and reduction strategies are
Without proper community-based support programs deinstitutionalized mentally ill patients have more difficulties obtaining a home. The Vancouver Richmond Health Board/Vancouver Community Mental Health Services maintains a waiting list of 2,600 individuals who are mentally ill who must wait an average of four years for supportive housing. (Homelessness Causes and Effects 3) For example, in the past four decades British Columbia has had the largest amount of deinstitutionalization it has ever had. This is directly attributable to the downsizing and eventual closure of Riverview Hospital on July 13, 2012. When Riverview Hospital was downsizing they were under funded, and felt as if modern medicine had relinquished the need for a psychiatric hospital. This resulted in a deinstitutionalizing of many patients deemed to be fit for society when they were actually more suited to remain in the mental institutions permanently or for an extended period of time. These patients after wandering the streets, and looking for jobs and homes from anywhere from a month to a year seemed to find a home in Vancouver Downtown Eastside. The neighborhoods in the area are seen as a norm for low-income individuals or those looking for a better life because they are invested with many
As immigrates continue to flood into Canada the provisions provided for them has led to inferior housing options. These houses are not only unreasonably priced, but are also not comfortable or acceptable. Inappropriate housing such as in impoverished areas like Vancouver has seen an alarming increase in bedbugs, particularly in Downtown Eastside, where 31 per cent of residents have reported infestations. (Bed bugs) For example, in Metro Vancouver it was found that 96% of refugees experience extreme, high or moderate housing stress in their first six months in Canada.(Francis 60) In their first year in Canada refugees are provided with the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which is designed to be designated strictly towards shelter and food. The RAP rates are dependent on the amount of people that are in a family; for instance, single refugee is given $635, a family of three is given $1,163 and a family of five is given $1,447 per month. The average monthly rent in Metro Vancouver as of October 2008, for a three bedroom apartment was $1,356, which is suitable to accommodate for a family of five. Therefore, after paying for shelter a family of five has $91 to pay for food and other expenses. This causes a lot of problems leading to homelessness because newly integrated refugees are generally uneducated of Canadian norms and traditions, and have a hard time seeking a