The Poverty Trap: How People Become Stuck in the Cycle of Poverty
What is Poverty?
Poverty is defined by the United Nations as the inability to fulfill basic needs like food, healthcare, education, and access to water and sanitation. By that definition, around 10% of the world lives in extreme poverty.
In Canada, that number is around 9%, although it is higher for certain groups like single mothers and aboriginals. And while 60% of people experience poverty temporarily, much of the other 40% are often stuck in a cycle of poverty, experiencing homelessness and other issues for years.
What Causes Poverty?
There isn’t one sole cause of poverty. For many, it’s a combination of the causes below that can cause temporary poverty to become cyclical.
Disabilities
People living with a physical or mental disability are twice as likely to struggle with poverty or homelessness. This link has been well-documented and it’s estimated that 45% of homeless Canadians are either disabled or struggling with a mental illness.
People experiencing homelessness are also more likely to have a learning disability. 16% of homeless people have a learning disability, compared to only 2% of the general population. A disability can make it harder for people to find long-term employment and apply for assistance, further increasing their chance of living in poverty or experiencing homelessness.
Long-Term Employment Issues
Disabilities are closely linked with employment issues, which are of course linked with poverty. The Canadian Labour Congress argues that while some disabilities prevent certain people from working, many people with disabilities can work but can’t find jobs due to discrimination and other barriers.
Less than 3 out of 10 businesses hire people with disabilities, despite one study finding that employees with disabilities meet or exceed expectations 75% of the time. It can be difficult for those experiencing poverty or homelessness to find a job for a number of other reasons in addition to disabilities. Often, they don’t have access to a phone or have a permanent address, or have gaps in their employment history.
Many also don’t have work-appropriate attire or reliable transportation. If they are living at a shelter, the hours of the job may conflict with the time of shelter’s curfew or meal programs. All these barriers can make it difficult or impossible for someone to find a job and lift themselves out of poverty.
Difficulty Accessing Assistance
For those who have difficulty accessing a job, assistance or benefits programs may be their best chance of escaping poverty. However, the system for applying and receiving benefits can be difficult to navigate, especially for those with a disability or those experiencing homelessness.
It can be difficult for the average person to fill out a government form, let alone someone with a learning or intellectual disability. It can also be difficult for homeless people to complete the forms and follow-up properly, as they have no permanent address and often no phone number. One study in Ontario found that 70% of homeless people were unable to even get an application without assistance.
For those who can complete the forms, wait times can be up to 2 years long for people who desperately need immediate assistance. Many argue that assistance programs have failed to keep up with the cost of living and those who do qualify to receive assistance still don’t have enough to survive.
Limited Affordable Housing
It’s no secret that the cost of living is on the rise, which can make affordable housing difficult to find, especially for people with disabilities. Housing is considered affordable when a person or household spends less than 30% of their pre-tax income on shelter.
Over 27% of Canadians don’t have access to affordable housing, and that number is even higher for people with disabilities. People with disabilities often spend more than 50% of their pre-tax income on housing, 20% higher than what is considered affordable.
How Poverty Becomes Cyclical
Most low-income Canadians are poor for a short period of time, with most struggling for a year or less. The number of Canadians living in persistent or cyclical poverty is decreasing, but many Canadians still remain trapped in the poverty cycle.
32% of people experiencing homelessness in the Peel Region are experiencing chronic homelessness. Disability, employment issues, difficulty accessing assistance, and limited affordable housing can all contribute to poverty and one another.
Someone with a disability may have difficulty finding a job, further worsening poverty. Similarly, someone experiencing homelessness may have difficulty applying for assistance, preventing them from getting the help they need.
Once the cycle of poverty has begun, it’s likely to continue without outside intervention. We all understand that poverty is a problem, but with a better understanding of the causes, we can be better equipped to make a meaningful difference.
How to Help the Homeless: What & When to Donate
Homelessness is an unfortunate epidemic that affects many major Canadian cities, and Brampton is no exception. As of August 2019, the region of Peel housed 922 homeless people, but not enough shelters or affordable housing to accommodate them.
As Canadians, we can all do our part to fight against homelessness and help marginalized individuals. Giving cash donations to nonprofit organizations and charities is helpful, but some specific items can help individuals get through tougher times.
If you see individuals trying to remain comfortable on the streets, the most universal thing that you can give them in any season is kindness. They are people too, with thoughts and feelings, and a smile or warm greeting can help lift spirits if nothing else.
What Should You Give to Individuals
Winter Donations
In colder seasons, it is difficult for people experiencing homelessness to live comfortably and stay warm. Sometimes, shelters are not a viable option for some individuals due to mental illness or certain phobias such as claustrophobia, so they choose to remain outside. Additionally, with the lack of space at shelters, it can be impossible for some people to find solace indoors.
If you’d like to donate to individuals trying to stay warm in colder months, certain items could be valued a little more than others.
Hand, Foot, or Body Warmers
Even with gloves or mittens, winter winds can chill extremities to the bone, and for individuals stuck outside – frostbite is always a fear. Hand or body warmers are small inexpensive pouches that can be placed inside clothing and provide heat for at least 1-2 hours. People experiencing homelessness during cold snaps will always be grateful to receive a source of temporary warmth.
Gift Cards
Specialized gift cards to coffee shops or fast food restaurants can help individuals stay warm while they are waiting for room at a shelter, or simply just give them a break from the cold. Having an opportunity to go for lunch with a friend or even indulge in a warm tea are little things that we take for granted that can be special for a person dealing with homelessness.
You don’t need to stick to food-related cards as well as gift cards for malls, clothing stores, or even prepaid Visa gift cards can help individuals purchase necessities that they need, such as proper fitting bras, hygiene products, or pet food if they have a furry companion.
Summer Donations
Care Packages
Making small care packages can be helpful for people that are trying to live on the streets. Include items that can help give them a boost, like fruit, granola bars, crackers and other non-perishable items that don’t need to be refrigerated. Some other helpful additions can include reusable water bottles, warm socks and gloves, hygiene products, lip chap, and gift cards.
Spices
As strange as it may sound, having a small stash of spices can make mundane meals that homeless people can find at soup kitchens or shelters more tasty and exciting.
Sunscreen & Bug Spray
During warmer months, sunburns and bug bites can make staying outside uncomfortable. Providing individuals with items to soothe sunburns or prevent them can be extremely helpful in making their lives easier.
Additionally, in some areas or months of the year, bugs can be detrimental and cause itchy bites which may lead to scabs and infection. Giving bug spray or after bite can help prevent bites and subsequent open wounds or infection.
What Should You Give to Shelters
In winter months, shelters become packed to the rafters with homeless individuals seeking shelter from the cold. Due to the increase in people wanting to stay at the shelters, supplies they give out can run low.
However, many shelters will happily accept donations like food and clothing so they can remain prepared for guests.
Warm Clothes & Footwear
In colder weather, warm jackets, socks, pants, sweaters, and boots are in high demand to keep individuals warm while they are outside. Donating items in a variety of sizes or men, women, and children is always beneficial for shelters to have to distribute to their guests.
Towels
Shelters often have an influx of people coming in wishing to wash and bathe in their facilities. As they often can’t launder towels for each new guest, new towels are a great donation for shelters.
Diapers & Formula
Family shelters will house guests of any age, from infants to the elderly. Donating diapers, wipes, formula, or any items made for young children can be extremely helpful for impoverished families.
Transit Passes
As most shelters provide housing for the night, the next day guests are required to move on for the day, so providing them with transit passes to travel to their desired destination can be very helpful. Transit passes can help individuals job hunt, or make it to work, school, or any other place they may need to be.
Your Time
Just like kindness can go a long way, volunteering at your local shelter can help in a variety of ways. From kitchen duties to sorting donations, shelters can always use an extra pair of hands.
Things to Avoid
While most shelters and people affected by homelessness will always appreciate the thought, there are some things you may just want to skip.
Shelters are unable to take certain items due to safety issues or lack of space. Leftover or perishable food items are usually a no-go. Additionally, larger furniture items can be helpful when people find places to live away from the shelter, but shelters cannot store them. Look for local thrift stores to give away gently used items.
In Case of Emergency
Sometimes, you may witness someone that is in immediate need of assistance. Depending on the situation, you should call 211 (non-profit organizations), 311 (non-emergency), or 911 (emergency) to assist the person in need.
In colder months, some signs to watch out for are:
Exposed skin
Signs of frostbite
Someone unconscious or unresponsive
A sign of hypothermia is someone removing their clothing when they are in cold temperatures. One of the best ways to gauge a situation is to communicate with the individual if it is safe to do so.
Regeneration has drives, fundraisers, a thrift store, and events to help lessen the issue of homelessness, poverty, and addiction here in Brampton. If you are interested in getting involved, visit our website to find out more.