Homelessness, Victimization and Crime
Individuals facing homelessness are more likely to become victims of crime and/or engage in criminal activity than individuals with stable housing. If charged with a criminal offence homeless individuals are typically charged with minor property crimes and drug offences. It is fair to say that their vulnerability for victimization is of most concern in this context.
The Statistics
Source Data: Homelessness & Housing Umbrella Group, HHUG Report Card (Released Annually)
The Story Behind the Numbers
The number of individuals accessing emergency shelters rose 10% and the number of emergency shelter nights rose by 17% in 2011. These are significant increases after two years of relative stability. These dramatic increases are cause for concern and warrant on-going attention. Homelessness can also be seen as an extreme manifestation of poverty and form of community exclusion. These factors impact quality of life and are affecting greater numbers of people in Waterloo Region.
Read the Community Responses
- Excuse me Waterloo Region, Your homelessness is showing by Lynn Macauley, Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group (HHUG).
- Knowing other people care: The importance of community to women who have experienced homelessness by Elizabeth Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Kitchener Waterloo.
- Housing is crime & victimization prevention by Lindsay Klassen, Program Manager, Supportive Housing of Waterloo.
- Fighting the battle against crime by reducing homelessness by Sheri Cartwright, Community Volunteer, Friend of Crime Prevention & Co-founder of Dynamic Health Promotion.