At homeD, we believe that a collaborative approach is needed to solve the issues of affordable housing in Canada. We need to work with the government, and wrap-around service providers for mental health, addiction, and abuse. Appreciating cultural diversity is also key. Our company strives to bridge culture, and the corporate and non-profit sectors together as a way of doing business and thinking. We are all working hard together but we need to do more.
There is a national issue in Canada around the lack of affordable housing. This has existed for many years and has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The issue needs to be addressed from different angles including working with the government, wrap-around service providers for mental health, addiction, and abuse, and appreciating cultural diversity.
homeD strives to bridge culture, and the corporate and non-profit sectors together as the way of doing business and thinking. We believe that this is the way to solve problems like affordable housing. We are always working hard to bring people together and create solutions.
Even though we are doing a lot, there is always more that can be done. We need to continue to work together as a team and with other organizations to solve this problem. We also need to listen to our employees and customers to see what else we can do to help them out. Only by taking a collaborative approach will we be able to effectively address the issue of affordable housing in Canada.
Indigenous Communities and Discrimination
One of the groups that are disproportionately affected by a lack of affordable housing are Indigenous communities. A study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that Indigenous people are four times more likely to live in overcrowded homes than the general population and that one in three Indigenous households live below the poverty line. This is often due to systemic discrimination from all levels of government. For example, many First Nations communities do not have clean drinking water or basic infrastructure like schools and roads. This needs to change and we need to work together to make sure that these issues are given the attention they deserve.
Racialized Communities
Another group that is hard hit by a lack of affordable housing are racialized communities. A study done by Wellesley Institute found that people who identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Arab, West Asian, Latin American or Japanese descent are more likely to live in overcrowded conditions than White people. This is often due to income insecurity and precarious employment. One way we can help solve this issue is by increasing the minimum wage so that people have enough money to live on. We also need to create more affordable housing units and increase funding for social assistance programs.
Wrap-Up Around Service Providers
Mental health, addiction, and abuse are all major problems in Canada that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, many people who suffer from these issues also don’t have a safe place to call home. This is why we need a wraparound approach when it comes to service providers. For example, providing housing for people with mental health issues should be done in conjunction with mental health services so that they can get the help they need. We also need more affordable housing units that are specifically geared towards people with addictions or who have been abused. By working together, we can make sure that everyone has a safe place to call home.
Supportive and affordable housing is an issue that affects us all, and it requires a collaborative approach from everyone involved to solve. At homeD, we are committed to working with government leaders, wrap-around service providers for mental health, addiction, and abuse, and others to find solutions that work for everyone. We all have a role to play in this effort, and no one can do it alone—but together, we can make a difference.
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