Dyslexic Library

Hiding in plain sight: The hidden homeless and invisible disabilities

The “hidden homeless” are hiding in plain sight. In Canada, 1 in 10 people can’t find permanent housing. They live with friends or family, sleep in cars or rooming houses. The risk of hidden homelessness is 2x greater for someone with a disability, and even higher for those with a learning disability. The statistics are alarming, and yet, the needs of those with disabilities are rendered invisible in emergency housing services and homeless shelters. How do I know? My friend Christine is going through this right now. And I’ve spent two weeks talking to people working in “the system”–many were sympathetic, but most were woefully ignorant about the connection between disabilities, unemployment, poverty and homelessness. No excuses. We–you–need to make those connections. And here’s why…