Four out of five homeless Canadians don’t live
on the street

You have seen homeless people who live on the street, in parks, in doorways and in other public places. But the “hidden homeless” – 80% of those without a place to call home – are much less visible. They are:

• the youth, adults, families and seniors who move from friend to friend and relative to relative while seeking affordable housing;
• the adults who live in cars and abandoned buildings and sleep in church basements for the winter;
• women who accept housing from a man, even in dangerous situations, rather than freeze on the street;
• children who are put in the care of Children's Aid Societies because their parents can't afford to care for them.

Public Education Campaign

In 2003 Raising the Roof, with the support of our partners, developed a compelling public education campaign. Launched via television, print and radio, the campaign theme is quite simply “Canada’s homeless – they’re not who you think.”

Take a moment to view/listen for yourself (above) – these are shocking but real examples of life without a home.

Hidden Homeless Print Ad #1 Hidden Homeless Print Ad #2 Blackboard - English Blackboard - French Blackboard - Italian Blackboard - Portuguese Bus Stop - English Bus Stop - French Day Care - English Day Care - Cantonese Day Care - French Day Care - Mandarin Get a Coffee - English Get a Coffee - French Hidden Homeless in Cantonese

10 Facts About the Hidden Homeless

1. Every community in Canada has homeless people, even if you don't see them on the street.
2. Most homeless people don't live on the street. More than 80% of Canada's homeless are improperly housed or on the verge of eviction. Many are sleeping in temporary beds at a friend’s or relative’s home, in church basements, at a welfare motel, in abandoned buildings and vehicles, and in other places away from the public eye.
3. About one-in-seven users of shelters across Canada is a child. Compared to children with permanent homes, homeless children suffer more from lack of educational opportunities, health issues and injuries.
4. As women generally earn less than men, women are more vulnerable to becoming homeless.
5. Newcomers to the rental housing market, especially young people, immigrants and refugees, are often obliged to rent housing that they cannot afford. They are often one paycheck away from eviction.
6. Many seniors face eviction due to fixed incomes and increasing rents and taxes.
7. Our young people also make up the hidden homeless. Many homeless youth are living in shelters or bunking in with friends - many are fleeing abusive situations.
8. The working poor, often single parents with young children end up living in crowded housing as they are unable to afford a decent place to live while feeding and clothing their children.
9. The hidden homeless are at risk of long-term physical and emotional harm. The longer anyone remains homeless, the greater the social and economic costs.
10. As a society we all pay for the tragedy of homelessness.

10 Things You Can Do To Help

1. Volunteer with and contribute to the work of a charity or community group in your town or city that is working to assist the homeless and create housing.
2. Start an innovative project like a local rent or utility bank to assist low-income families and individuals.
3. Ask your municipality to allow homeowners to  create apartments or second suites their homes. These can be the least  expensive form of rental accommodation and can help families become homeowners.
4. Organize a Raising the Roof Toque Campaign in your community or workplace. 
5. Support the work of Raising the Roof by making a donation
6. Invite speakers on homelessness and housing to meetings of your local school council, religious group, labour union or business council.
7. Start or join an organization that is working on long-term solutions to homelessness.
8. Advocate for more affordable housing in your community and across the nation.
9. Secure support services to help people maintain their housing.
10. Get community support for affordable housing initiatives in your area. Get the manual, "Yes in My Back Yard" from the Community Choice Coalition.

Our Partners

The Hidden Homeless Public Education Campaign was created pro bono by the international advertising agency, Grey Worldwide and developed with the generous support of Direct Energy and ecentricarts.