Rural Homelessness in Alberta: an environmental scan
Description: This presentation focused on the results of a scan of rural homelessness issues across 20 rural communities. The presentation highlights the interconnection of housing instability in rural areas with macro-economic shifts, particularly related to the oil and gas and tourism industries, as well as migration. Aboriginal over-representation among rural homeless groups is also discussed, along with domestic violence and youth homelessness. Responses at the community level are highlighted, along with a slate of recommendations at the local, provincial and federal levels.
Partners: Funders: Alberta Interagency Council on Homelessness Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research
Why is this important? This study provides the first comparative, regional perspective on homelessness in Alberta – an essential first step to develop systematic solutions.
Who might be interested?
Policy makers Academia and students Practitioners
For more information contact: Alina Turner, PhD, Turner Research & Strategy,
[email protected] Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, PhD, University of Calgary,
[email protected]
Principal Investigators:
Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, PhD University of Calgary
Alina Turner, PhD Turner Research & Strategy Inc.
TurnerResearchandStrategyInc.com
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Homelessness is usually framed as an urban phenomena A limited body of research comes from the UK and, to a small extent, the US Rural homelessness in Canada studied in several scattered communities and within Aboriginal migration Study funded by Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research in support of the Interagency Council on Homelessness work to implement A Plan for Alberta
1. Absolute homelessness – without shelter Living in public spaces or those not intended for habitation
2. Sheltered in temporary accommodation – Emergency homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters
3. Provisional accommodation Transitional housing, motels, institutions
4. High risk for housing loss
Individual vulnerabilities
Socio-economic circumstances Lack of education, job skills training Mental health and addictions Domestic violence
Societal and institutional barriers to housing
High housing costs Inability to obtain financing for repairs Lack of housing supports Lack of social services supports
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Is rural homelessness perceived to be a problem in small towns and communities in Alberta? What manifestations of rural homelessness prevail? Are there community or regional characteristics that describe rural Albertans who are homeless?
Interviews with key informants in 20 rural communities Interviews with 10 provincial level stakeholders from various agencies and government organizations involved with housing and social services Representation across all 14 economic regions in Alberta Small towns defined as those with a population of
