A vulnerable population that I’ve decided to research is that of indigenous peoples. I find that this is a vulnerable population as it relates to homelessness. Homelessness for these individuals is multi-factorial and has heavy influences which perpetuate their issues and their unstable living conditions.
Homelessness is an uprooting of a situation of individuals or families in addition to influential factors such as mental, cognitive, behavioral or physical challenges and/or racism (Patrick, 2014). Patrick (2014) Therefore, aboriginal prevalence of homelessness is the result of this multi-factorial interaction of factors at the societal level.
This is prevalent (challenges) in the aboriginal groups as they have ensured loss of their traditional “homes” due to an uprooting and displacement from homes or communities that further disconnect them from their cultural identity. The loss of social support networks does also increase their likelihood of becoming homeless when moving away from reserve (Patrick, 2014).
The term “spiritual homelessness” is a crisis of personal identity can affect one’s mental health. The Indian Act of 1876, residential school system and child welfare legislation has only perpetuated the feeling of cultural confusion (Patrick, 2014; Gaetz, Gulliver and Richter, 2014). These policies impact the lives of homeless aboriginal peoples.
Education and training levels for the population are lower, unemployment rates are higher and income lower than those of the non-aboriginal population. Aboriginal peoples also suffer from personal disabilities (physical/mental) and the effects of interpersonal violence and racism. In this article, the qualitative analysis via interviewing of homeless aboriginal peoples suggests that they feel disadvantaged in the employment and housing markets (Patrick, 2014).
Racial discrimination plagues many aboriginal peoples and households while continuing to complicate their pursuit of adequate and affordable housing. Numerous studies individuate that aboriginal peoples encounter housing market discrimination as renters, owners and prospective renters or owners.
Gaetz, Gulliver and Richter (2014) have contextualized the influences to homelessness. They suggest:
Pathways into homeless: historical and cultural trauma factors, personal beliefs and capabilities, system societal factors and change in community systems services and support including family.
Pathways out of homelessness: Inter-connectedness of service delivery models, systems and networks, systemic supports reflected in policies and void of racism and creating change in community systems, services and supports.
There are some government programs to assist the housing situation for aboriginal peoples in Ontario.
The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) partners with Aboriginal groups to ensure that services meet the unique needs of off-reserve homeless Aboriginal people in cities and rural areas (Employment and social development Canada, 2017).
Indigenous supportive housing program (ISHP)
Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy (LTAHS), goal to end chronic homelessness by 2025. Up to $100 million in 2019-2020 for house assistance and support services (Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, 2018).
Interestingly, other provinces have partnering strategies with aboriginal peoples upon discharge planning from hospital. A class mate of mine reported on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s (WRHA) Aboriginal Health Service in which the Patient Navigator works with indigenous peoples requiring more complicated healthcare needs. They will address inequities and challenges that the population faces as they discharge from hospital (WRHA, 2018). As I’ve mentioned in this blog, homelessness in a multi-factorial issue and it is compounded by poor living conditions (if at all) that perpetuate their overall health and well being. Patient navigators are becoming more so prevalent in Ontario as well and liaise with housing services and community care services to ensure appropriate living conditions and an equitable access to social determinants of health, including housing (Toronto Central Health Line, 2018).
Resources:
Employment and social development Canada. (2017). Funding: regional projects- aboriginal homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/homeless/homeless-indigenous.html
Gaetz, S., Gulliver, T., & Richter, T. (2014). The State of Homelessness in Canada: Toronto. The Homeless Hub Press. Retrieved from http://homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/SOHC2014.pdf
Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. (2018). Indigenous supportive housing program (ISHP). Retrieved from http://www.ontarioaboriginalhousing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ISHP-Expression-of-Interest-2017-18-with-Schedules.pdf
Patrick, C. (2014). Aboriginal Homelessness in Canada: A Literature Review. Toronto: Canadian Homelessness Research Network Press. Retrieved from http://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/AboriginalLiteratureReview.pdf
Toronto Central Health Line. (2018). Health centres and programs for indigenous peoples - Toronto central. Retrieved from http://www.torontocentralhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10071
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Indigenous Health. (2018). Patient Services. Collaborative culturally safe care (lite). Presented at the meeting of Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Patient Relations Council, Winnipeg, MB. Retrieved from https://www.cfhi-fcass.ca/sf-docs/default-source/newsevents/2015-nr-roundtable-final-report.pdf?sfvrsn=2969d144_2