Homelessness is a rising issue in Vancouver and an even bigger issue across Canada. Despite what kind of homelessness, absolute, relative or concealed, it is a growing issue that not all Canadians or Vancouverites are very well educated in. Many relate homelessness to individuals who are addicted to drugs or who are alcoholics but this is not always the case. Homelessness can be tied to various socials problems such as domestic violence, shortage of affordable housing, high unemployment rates, and racial, physical, and social class discrimination. Also, recent studies have found that 20 to 35 per cent of homeless people have been treated for psychiatric disorders. Aside from causes, Intraspec statistics show between 1986 and 1996 the population of Canada increased by 14 per cent but not until the end of this period was it shown that 30 per cent more Canadians were living in poverty. This statistic shows our society how, over a long period of time, our country has been blindly robbed of affordable living.
Like every other Canadian the homeless also have laws they must abide by such as, no panhandling and no injecting substances in public, etc. However, with the lack of provincial and national policy enforcement, many of these laws go overlooked by law-abiding citizens because as a society were all too familiar with the sight of a homeless person struggling to make ends meet. With an estimated 65,000 young people homeless or in homeless shelters some time of the year across Canada, one cannot help but think, What on earth are we doing as a population to help this?
Many Canadians who follow politics are anticipating the final decision of the private members Bill C-304, also known as the National Housing Strategy, proposed by the NDP. This strategy would require the cost of housing to meet the requirements of an individuals basic needs rather than compromising them. The National Housing Strategy also ensures giving financial credit without discrimination towards people who are unable to afford a rental home. Lastly, the strategy also wants to be a part of and initiate non-profit housing projects. The bill is scheduled for its last reading on Oct. 20, 2011. (Although low-income housing is vital part in stopping homelessness, some provinces do not agree. For example, Ontario closed its doors to any new social housing in 1995.) The passing of this bill would mean our country will have a concrete foundation and have taken the first step in ending homelessness. Aside from this perhaps soon-to-be solution there are also many organizations that take part in helping homelessness. Some of the ones in Vancouver are the PIVOT Legal Society, HEAT shelters, and Lookout Emergency Aid. This is just to name a few.
So where do Windermeres Law 12 students fit into all of this? We are campaigning to our community and our school through promotional posters, promotional information over the school announcements, interviews with community groups and representatives and most importantly conducting a clothing drive. The response at Windermere is definitely positive as seen through previous years of this campaign and therefore clothing drive donations are generally very successful. All of the donations collected by the end of the clothing drive, Oct. 20, will then be delivered to Covenant House.
Aside from our clothing drive, we have a number of students talking to political representatives and also a number of students getting together with community groups finding out more information. This all will then be used to educate fellow peers and the community. In order to further educate the Law 12 students Ms. Lee, the teacher, had Peter Greenwell come in from Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Greenwell told the class more statistics and more possible solutions leaving us all in a whirlpool of thought.
Last but not least, the Law 12 students are conducting a debate on issues, solutions and laws regarding homelessness. During the debate opinions and facts can and most likely will be argued and this will also be a time for the student to collaborate what they have gathered in the ways of research.
Since 2008, the city has worked closely with the provincial government to open emergency shelters bringing the number of sheltered homeless up to 69 percent between the years of 2008-2010. This is just a baby step in the right direction. With all of the resources society has we must reach a permanent realization that drastic change is needed in this aspect of our society. Through our campaign we hope to educate the people who were in the dark in respects to this issue and also help in being part of a permanent solution. Remember, housing is a solution, shelters are not.
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Nina Kumar is a Law 12 student at Windermere secondary school.
