- The total number of homeless people has been increasing by 19% since 2005, and a count in 2008 revealed 1375 homeless persons solely in Vancouver.
- Homelessness has a broad meaning. A dictionary definition defines homeless people as those individuals that do not have a home. For this purpose even those individuals living at friends house could be considered as homeless.
- The most common reasons for being homeless has to do with having inadequate income, nonaffordble housing, mental illnesses and drug abuse, lack of life skills and employment, lack of access to social health and support services, and more.
- It is estimated that 80% of those who are homeless suffer from a mental illness and/or addiction.
- Homeless people need a place to call home, as well as money to buy the basic necessities of life such as nutrition, health care, hygiene products, footware, and resource information, just to name a few.
- The current social services offered to homeless people include drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, and counseling and assistance with daily living.
- Welfare payments and other government income assistance help some people pay for housing costs, but the maximum housing allowance available to a single person on welfare is $375/month.
- Shelters are temporary solutions for homeless people to stay off the streets. They are usually mats on a floor or bunks in a ward or very small rooms in a congregate setting. Those who stay in shelters can only stay there for less than 30 days.
- A 2001 study by the Province indicated that the public costs for providing services and shelter for one homeless person are up to $40,000 annually compared with up to $28,000 for someone who has housing
- Homelessness is an issue affecting all members of the society. It is an issue affecting not only the homeless individuals, but also the community members, businesses, tourists, and economic prospects of a city.
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