Rural Homelessness

Rural homelessness is less visible than that of urban areas. Those who are homeless in rural areas may live with friends or family, in a car, or overcrowded or inadequate housing. They are often underestimated by health and human service providers and have a lack of visibility due to the low population densities of these areas. 

There are many issues such as a lack of resources and infrastructure, which means that there are fewer services, shelters, and trained staff. Public transportation is limited, and people must travel far for resources such as food banks, emergency shelters, and health services. Job opportunities and affordable housing options are limited too. There is also a lack of access to these health/human resources and may be difficult to travel to, especially if one has to travel long distances. It is a huge barrier, especially for those without cars. There is also a lack of privacy, as people are more likely to know each other and know who is homeless. This results in stigmatization and can be a barrier to getting housing. Landlords may be reluctant to rent to the homeless or those who were previously homeless. The lack of available housing has been made worse by tourists, as they take up the already limited housing. This increases the housing prices in the area, and locals must settle for houses unfit for human habitation instead. 

In a 2011 report from the County of Wellington ON, it was shown that:

○ The majority of individuals were reluctant to identify as homeless, even if they were living in a car or couch surfing.  

○ It was misunderstood that homelessness only happens in urban areas.

○ The lack of recognition of the issue leads to a lack of funding and development. 

○ Many rural residents were reluctant to use emergency shelters in the city. 

The government often allocates resources based on population sizes, resulting in less resources for rural areas. There must be more resources and options for those living in rural areas, and people should be made aware of the fact that homelessness does not only occur in urban areas. There is also a need for family-focused services, as more families than individuals are experiencing homelessness. 

References:

1. People Experiencing Homelessness - Rural Services Integration Toolkit (ruralhealthinfo.org)

2. How is Rural Homelessness Different from Urban Homelessness? | The Homeless Hub

Researcher: Lindsay

Editor: Jessica

Date published: December 4, 2023