Why are People Homeless

The reasons people are homeless are as varied as the people themselves; mental illness, lack of life skills, substance abuse, stagnant or declining incomes, rapidly growing shelter costs and reductions in social assistance are but a few.

A significant proportion of the chronically homeless population suffers from some combination of mental illness, addiction, history of trauma and physical disability making it difficult to work and have relationships. Lack of ongoing services can result in this population repeatedly using emergency facilities including shelter beds, hospital resources and the justice system. The result – a high cost to both the individual and emergency service providers.

Even many who work find themselves in need of assistance. In fact, 20% of all households in Kelowna are either living near or below the poverty level. In 2001 nearly 8,000 households in Kelowna were making less than $20,000 per year and spending 30 per cent or more of their income on shelter costs.
** 2001 Census Canada **

Those who manage to pay rent often rely heavily on other community services for free food and clothing. Catastrophic events such as illness, family breakdown or job loss can often result in temporary homelessness for the working poor who then can be found in shelters, on the streets or surfing from couch to couch.