Income and Housing Insecurity: A Community Responsibility : Thunderbay IMC

Homelessness is a reality for many people residing in Thunder Bay. Sometimes it takes the shape of couch-surfing with friends or family; other times it means sleeping outside or at one of the city’s shelters. Larger numbers of people are living in poverty and more youth are spending time on the streets. More people with mental health issues are unable to find the support they need to remain connected to family, social support and shelter. There are increasing numbers of people unable or afraid to leave substandard housing, and the number of people needing food assistance is increasing. As the number of Aboriginal people living in and moving to Thunder Bay grows, it becomes increasingly necessary to address the specific needs of a culturally diverse community.

Who are the Homeless of Thunder Bay?

Temporary Shelters Number of Available Beds

Thunder Bay Shelter House - 27 men 8 women 10 youth

Faye Peterson Transition House 24 women

Beendigen Inc. 10 women and children

Haven House Youth Shelter Closed 2006

Salvation Army Men’s Residence 10

Community Residence Women’s Shelter Closed 2006

John Howard Society Average 45

Total 134

Relative and Absolute Homelessness:

It is difficult to calculate the number of relative homeless people living in any city because, for the most part, they are invisible. They are the people who have temporary shelter (couch surfers, rooming house renters, etc.) or suffer in inadequate housing (over-crowded, poorly maintained, etc.). However, the Rubik’s Cube, a study released in 2001, attempted to measure the extent of absolute and relative homelessness in Thunder Bay. It was found that 28 men and women were classified as ‘hardcore’, which is living on the streets without any shelter. Further, there were 1, 886 men, 745 women, 534 children and 154 seniors being forced to find temporary shelter at one of Thunder Bay’s five shelters.

Aboriginal Housing Issues
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), about one in five (22%) off reserve Aboriginal households in Ontario were in core housing need in 2001. Approximately 24% of Canadian Aboriginal households were in core housing need.

When examining housing need, whether one owns or rents their home is an important factor to consider. In Thunder Bay, about 44% of Aboriginal households owned their homes in 2001, compared to 72% of non-Aboriginal households. Another factor to consider when examining housing need is the need for major repairs. In 2001, 16% of Aboriginal households were living in homes requiring major repairs, twice the percentage of non-Aboriginal households.

In an attempt to raise public awareness to the realtiy of individuals living without adequate means, the Thunder Bay Economic Justice Committee and the Lakehead Social Planning Council's Homelessness Initiative will be hosting "Finding a Place": A Community Forum on Income and Housing Security.
This event will be held on Thursday June 1st and Friday June 2nd and is free to everyone that registeres. Space is limited so book now by calling Aaron Park at 624-2341.