Poverty and Homelessness

What percentage of children in Halifax live below the low income cutoff level? a) 19% b) 10% c) 7% d) 25%

How much does a single person in NS receive in social assistance benefits per year? a) $9 554 b) $5 422 c) $ d) $20 000

What income would the same person need just to reach the poverty line? a) $ b) $ c) $ d) $35 059

What is the average rent for a one- bedroom apartment in Halifax without utilities? a) $320 b) $800 c) $200 d) $620

The leading cause of homelessness for women is: a) job loss b) Family violence c) Substance abuse d) Can’t find suitable accomodation

What are the stereotypes about homelessness? How are homeless people portrayed in the media?

Levels of Homelessness ABSOLUTE HOMELESSNESS ABSOLUTE HOMELESSNESS HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS AT RISK HOMELESSNESS AT RISK HOMELESSNESS

ABSOLUTE Homelessness Living on the streets Living on the streets No support No support Kicked out of shelters Kicked out of shelters Exhausted all resources Exhausted all resources Approximately 200 people in Halifax Approximately 200 people in Halifax 40% are under the age of 25 40% are under the age of 25

HIDDEN HOMELESSNESS Moving from place to place Moving from place to place Use meal programs Use meal programs Food banks Food banks Unemployed Unemployed Coach surfing Coach surfing

AT-RISK HOMELESSNESS One paycheck away from living on the streets One paycheck away from living on the streets Income less than $ year Income less than $ year Can’t pay for childcare Can’t pay for childcare Things such as workplace injuries or a medical accident could be the tipping point Things such as workplace injuries or a medical accident could be the tipping point

So, why are people homeless/poor? Lack of affordable housing Lack of affordable housing Apartments expensive Apartments expensive Minimum wage is very low Minimum wage is very low Insufficient social assistance Insufficient social assistance Discrimination (women, First Nations, children and persons with disabilities) Discrimination (women, First Nations, children and persons with disabilities)

Facts about poverty/homelessness: Have worked in the past Have worked in the past Cannot find good jobs Cannot find good jobs Have work but do not have a safe place to live Have work but do not have a safe place to live Escape abuse/violence Escape abuse/violence Can’t find affordable housing Can’t find affordable housing Some have mental/physical illnesses Some have mental/physical illnesses Drug addiction is a coping mechanism Drug addiction is a coping mechanism Canada doesn’t recognize all degrees from foreign countries, thus a lot of new immigrant are poor. Canada doesn’t recognize all degrees from foreign countries, thus a lot of new immigrant are poor.

SOLUTIONS More affordable housing More affordable housing HCAP HCAP Rent control Rent control Education Education Volunteer Volunteer Organize fundraiser Organize fundraiser Take action Take action