Green Wood Coalition
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About
    • Making a Difference Series
    • What We Do
    • Annual Report
    • Mission and Values
    • History
    • Videos
    • Photos
    • Media
    • Board of Directors
  • Get Involved
    • Member Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Summer Employment
  • NEWSLETTER
  • IMAGINATE 2019
  • Donate
    • Our Supporters
GREEN WOOD COALITION
​
is a radically inclusive, street-level organization
that uses a community model of caring to walk alongside people
who are hungry, homeless and hurting in Northumberland County, Ontario
Donate Now

Green Wood Coalition is supported by
​Generous Donors, Northumberland United Way, and the Municipality of Port Hope
Registered Canadian Charity: 835935263RR0001

Why is Rural Homelessness Different?

2/7/2016

 
Picture

Homelessness: it's not the first thing that comes to mind when we think about Canada's rural and remote communities. Our ideas about rurality are often infused with images of idyllic countryside landscapes and close-knit communities.  Canada's pioneer past adds an additional element of self-sufficiency and independent spirit. Nevertheless, housing instability and homelessness are emerging as prevalent and even increasing social challenges across Canada's rural communities. 

In a study of 22 Canadian rural communities, Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff and Alina Turner researched the dynamics behind rural homelessness and tried to discern what exactly makes it distinct from its urban (and much more visible) counterpart.

So, what's so different about rural homelessness?

1. An invisible, yet diverse and prevalent issue.Every community we talked to reported homelessness to be a challenge - whether it had a population of 500, 5,000, or 15,000.  But, those experiencing homelessness were most likely to be hidden: couch surfing, living in makeshift shelter, and camping out were commonly reported. Though hidden, rural homelessness is very diverse: it reaches across the lifespan to children, youth, and seniors; it's experienced by women and men alike, newcomers and Aboriginal people; it's experienced by low income individuals with and without addiction or mental health issues, or facing domestic violence. Of course, the total numbers of homeless are much lower in small communities - which make the issue less visible as well. This impacts public recognition and action to address the issue. When you don't see homelessness, it's easier to deny it exists and it's easier to push it to the bottom of the community agenda.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Cobourg
    Community
    Food
    Fundraising
    Garden
    Healthcare
    Housing
    IMAGINATE
    Johnny Cash
    Media
    Music
    Partners
    Port Hope

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About
    • Making a Difference Series
    • What We Do
    • Annual Report
    • Mission and Values
    • History
    • Videos
    • Photos
    • Media
    • Board of Directors
  • Get Involved
    • Member Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Summer Employment
  • NEWSLETTER
  • IMAGINATE 2019
  • Donate
    • Our Supporters