Homelessness is a serious problem throughout Canada.

You have seen homeless people who live on the street, in parks, in doorways and in other public places. But we rarely see 80 per cent of those without a place to call home - the hidden homeless.

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

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 - with friends or relatives, in church basements, in welfare motels, in abandoned buildings and vehicles, and in other sites 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, infection, obesity, anemia, injuries, burns, developmental delays and incomplete immunization; youth suffer more injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health problems, and pregnancies.

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 required 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 increased rents and taxes. Ensuring seniors stay adequately and appropriately housed prevents them from being part of the hidden homeless and ending up visibly homeless or in hospitals.

7. Our young people also make up the hidden homeless. Many homeless youth are living in shelters or bunking 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 and contribute to the work of a local charity or community group in your town or city 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.

5. Support the work of Raising the Roof, Canada's national homelessness charity, 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. Start or join an organization that is working on long-term solutions to homelessness.

7. Advocate for more affordable housing in your community and across the nation.

8. Secure support services to help people maintain their housing.

9. Get community support for affordable housing initiatives in your area. Get the manual, "Yes in My Back Yard" from the Community Choice Coalition.

10. Volunteer with an organization that addresses homelessness in your community.

	Early in 2004, Raising the Roof launched a dynamic public education campaign designed to help Canadians understand the true nature of homelessness. Many organizations lack the resources to conduct public education about homelessness or about people at risk of becoming homeless. They also find it difficult to raise enough money to provide needed services in their community. "The Hidden Homeless" campaign features thought-provoking television public service announcements and magazine print ads. Watch for the spots on Global Television and other major networks or see them now and learn more about Canada's hidden homeless by visiting www.hiddenhomeless.ca.

Our Partners

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