STATE OF HOMELESSNESS

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RURAL vs URBAN HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness doesn’t always mean sleeping in a tent, or in public spaces. In fact, the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are not sleeping “rough”, but living in temporary, inadequate and unsafe accommodations.

For some, homelessness can look like couch surfing, staying in emergency shelters, motels, hotels, campgrounds, and any other setting that is not secure. In urban settings, homelessness can be very easy to identify, especially in cities that have agencies and resources offering assistance or services to folks who find themselves unhoused. In rural settings, homelessness is harder to identify, and harder to characterize.

A study completed by the Canada Observatory on Homelessness outlines a few key points on how rural homelessness differs from Urban homelessness:

1

The majority of interviewed individuals experiencing homelessness were very reluctant to self-identify as “homeless,” even if they were living in a car or couch surfing because of community stigma.

3

Lack of recognition for homelessness in rural communities contributes to the lack of funding and development in rural settings.

2

Homelessness in rural settings continues to go under the radar and is misunderstood as a social issue affecting only big cities.

4

Many rural residents are reluctant to access emergency shelters in the city.

Whether you are experiencing homelessness in a rural or urban setting, one thing is certain: homelessness can be solved, and the solution is safe, adequate and affordable housing suitable for all citizens.

CURRENT STATISTICS