Poverty and HomelessnessPoverty and Homelessness

What percentage of children in What percentage of children in Halifax live below the low Halifax live below the low

income cutoff level?income cutoff level?

a)a) 19%19%

b)b) 10%10%

c)c) 7%7%

d)d) 25%25%

How much does a single How much does a single person in NS receive in social person in NS receive in social assistance benefits per year?assistance benefits per year?

a)a) $9 554$9 554

b)b) $5 422 $5 422

c)c) $11 700$11 700

d)d) $20 000$20 000

What income would the same What income would the same person need just to reach the person need just to reach the

poverty line?poverty line?

a)a) $17 895$17 895

b)b) $10 320$10 320

c)c) $14 000$14 000

d)d) $35 059$35 059

What is the average rent for a What is the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in one-bedroom apartment in

Halifax without utilities?Halifax without utilities?

a)a) $320$320

b)b) $800$800

c)c) $200$200

d)d) $620$620

The leading cause of The leading cause of homelessness for women is:homelessness for women is:

a)a) job lossjob loss

b)b) Family violenceFamily violence

c)c) Substance abuseSubstance abuse

d)d) Can’t find suitable accomodationCan’t find suitable accomodation

What are the stereotypes What are the stereotypes about homelessness?about homelessness?

How are homeless people How are homeless people portrayed in the media?portrayed in the media?

Levels of HomelessnessLevels of Homelessness

ABSOLUTE HOMELESSNESSABSOLUTE HOMELESSNESS

HIDDEN HOMELESSNESSHIDDEN HOMELESSNESS

AT RISK HOMELESSNESSAT RISK HOMELESSNESS

ABSOLUTE HomelessnessABSOLUTE Homelessness

Living on the streetsLiving on the streets No supportNo support Kicked out of sheltersKicked out of shelters Exhausted all resourcesExhausted all resources Approximately 200 people in HalifaxApproximately 200 people in Halifax 40% are under the age of 2540% are under the age of 25

HIDDEN HOMELESSNESSHIDDEN HOMELESSNESS

Moving from place to placeMoving from place to place Use meal programsUse meal programs Food banksFood banks UnemployedUnemployed Coach surfingCoach surfing

AT-RISK HOMELESSNESSAT-RISK HOMELESSNESS

One paycheck away from living on One paycheck away from living on the streetsthe streets

Income less than $15 000 yearIncome less than $15 000 year Can’t pay for childcareCan’t pay for childcare Things such as workplace injuries or Things such as workplace injuries or

a medical accident could be the a medical accident could be the tipping pointtipping point

So, why are people So, why are people homeless/poor?homeless/poor?

Lack of affordable housingLack of affordable housing Apartments expensiveApartments expensive Minimum wage is very lowMinimum wage is very low Insufficient social assistanceInsufficient social assistance Discrimination (women, First Nations, Discrimination (women, First Nations,

children and persons with children and persons with disabilities)disabilities)

Facts about Facts about poverty/homelessness:poverty/homelessness:

Have worked in the pastHave worked in the past Cannot find good jobsCannot find good jobs Have work but do not have a safe place to Have work but do not have a safe place to

livelive Escape abuse/violenceEscape abuse/violence Can’t find affordable housingCan’t find affordable housing Some have mental/physical illnessesSome have mental/physical illnesses Drug addiction is a coping mechanismDrug addiction is a coping mechanism Canada doesn’t recognize all degrees from Canada doesn’t recognize all degrees from

foreign countries, thus a lot of new immigrant foreign countries, thus a lot of new immigrant are poor.are poor.

SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS

More affordable housingMore affordable housing HCAPHCAP Rent controlRent control EducationEducation VolunteerVolunteer Organize fundraiserOrganize fundraiser Take actionTake action