Homelessness in Canada
Dec. 12th, 2004 11:37 pmSo, I've always been confused by homelessness in Canada. It clearly exists, but I've been under the impression that welfare is available to all citizens/residents and can cover rent on a modest apartment. I may be confused on that point, but I just don't know.
Some of the stuff I've read indicates that each of the following groups are well-represented among the homeless:
-People with serious mental health problems which aren't properly treated
-People with addictions they haven't been able to kick
-Aboriginals (I don't know why, but apparently...)
-Young runaways who either face abuse/a string of foster homes upon connecting with the authorities, or who have other reasons for being scared to return home (being queer and having intolerant parents, for instance).
Am I missing any major groups which should be included in this list?
And, is minimum wage enough to live reasonably in Toronto? What is minimum wage, anyway?
Some of the stuff I've read indicates that each of the following groups are well-represented among the homeless:
-People with serious mental health problems which aren't properly treated
-People with addictions they haven't been able to kick
-Aboriginals (I don't know why, but apparently...)
-Young runaways who either face abuse/a string of foster homes upon connecting with the authorities, or who have other reasons for being scared to return home (being queer and having intolerant parents, for instance).
Am I missing any major groups which should be included in this list?
And, is minimum wage enough to live reasonably in Toronto? What is minimum wage, anyway?
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 01:12 am (UTC)also in Ontario, you don't go to overtime until you hit 44 hours, not the 40 I was used to in the US. You will actually clear about $5.75ish of that. So about $250 a week.
my one bedroom apartment, which is considered a steal, is $675. Heat included, hydro about $80 a month, but I'm *terrible* about turning off lights and leave the computer on all the time. So I can live on mimimum wage, but it'd be a narrow squeak.
You can find 2-bedroom apts. in the neighbourhood I'm in for $800. That would loosen it up a little, when shared.
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 07:37 am (UTC)s.