Does immigrant residential crowding reflect hidden homelessness?
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between residential overcrowding among immigrants and hidden homelessness in Canada. It presents mixed evidence on the link between residential overcrowding and hidden homelessness, as well as reflections on unique avoidance strategies used by immigrant communities to keep their co-ethnics off the streets and out of homeless shelters. While the research does not focus specifically on Calgary and Edmonton, it includes data on these cities as part of a larger study on hidden homelessness in Canada. This may be of interest to policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to address homelessness and housing insecurity in these cities and beyond.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified
Lack of empirical research in Canada that focuses directly on hidden homelessness, particularly with identifying the causes. This probably reflects the difficulty associated with its inquiry more than it does the seriousness of the topic.
Difficulty in identifying the hidden homeless population, as there is no concrete definition of hidden homelessness. This makes research in this area even more challenging.
Lack of suitable data to help researchers and policymakers understand more about the problem of hidden homelessness. Homeless censuses, which most major metropolitan areas conduct, miss much of the problem, and there is a need for better data to help address this issue.
Open access: No
Community organizations:
Integration timeline:
Key findings
The study found that crowding is less prevalent in Calgary than in other cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver. The crowding propensities for Calgary are significantly lower than those for Toronto and Vancouver.
Crowding is more prevalent in Edmonton than in Calgary.
Income negatively relates to crowding for all groups in Calgary and Edmonton. This suggests that higher income is associated with lower levels of residential overcrowding in these cities.
Key populations:
Key recommendations
Gather data on crowding and hidden homelessness
Create a common vocabulary to define hidden homelessness
Identify what exactly residential crowding actually means
Location: Canada in general including Calgary and Edmonton.