Notes
Key recommendations
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The need to build on the experiences, capacities, and strengths of rural communities to solve the issue of homelessness
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Building comprehensive housing
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Creating service infrastructure plan to address housing instability
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Acknowledging the issue of homelessness as a part of the disaster management
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Employing the “housing first” strategy in rural communities
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Social services should acknowledge the unique needs and challenges of homeless sub-populations
Key populations
Service providers and other key stakeholders across Alberta
Key findings
Homelessness “has always been there” (76)
Doubling up and couch surfing were the most often-cited manifestations of rural homelessness.
Themes which serve as descriptors of rural homelessness issues:
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Significant sub-populations – victims of domestic violence; youth; newcomers; indigenous persons, chronic substance (alcohol) abusers, and chronically homeless people.
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Economic dynamics – reliance on oil and gas industry and effects of its decline;
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Rural housing market dynamics – purpose-built rental housing is
very limited and the rate of development is significantly lower than in urban areas; many affordable housing options are on the slate of demolition.
Unique issues to rural areas:
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a geographic nature, addressing the issue of parks and recreational areas – national parks have severe restrictions on additional residential
building construction which restricts housing availability, especially for those with lower incomes;
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temporal nature, relating to the impact of natural disasters – natural disasters hold the potential not only to contribute to acute homelessness but also significantly impact existing homeless people and services in affected areas.
Community organizations
NA
Gaps identified
Lack of acknowledgment of rural homelessness
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA
ISBN: 2183-2803