Series - Innovative Local Impact

COVID-19 will “absolutely exacerbate homelessness in Canada,” say advocates

Author Jacky Habib
Creating national systemic change

Why It Matters

Approximately 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and there are even more who are underhoused. Housing advocates say these figures may increase, due to economic instability during the coronavirus pandemic. Our fifth story in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada examines how a movement to close the housing gap influenced the federal government’s first national housing strategy.

var TRINITY_TTS_WP_CONFIG = {"cleanText":"COVID-19 will \u201cabsolutely exacerbate homelessness in Canada,\u201d say advocates. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians \u2014 an estimated 235,000 \u2014\u00a0find themselves experiencing homelessness each year. These Canadians are some of the most vulnerable, without any real way to practice social distancing, to avoid getting COVID-19, adding to the many reasons homelessness is a national emergency. Not only is the pandemic placing a spotlight on homelessness in Canada \u2014\u00a0it could end up exacerbating it, too. Mich\u00e8le Biss, a human rights lawyer and project manager with the National Right to Housing Network, says the economic pressure brought on by the coronavirus will lead to increased housing insecurity. \u201cI am hearing from individuals

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