There is an overwhelming belief across the globe that those who live on the street are there because they have severe alcohol and drug addictions, are lazy and do not wish to work for a living. This may be the case for some but it is the most common myth regarding homeless people in our country. It's easy to look down on them from your condos in Yorkville, Ontario or your condo in Yaletown, Vancouver, but it's not as easy to get off the streets as one may think.
It would be really simple to get a job and get off the streets, right? Just apply at a fast food joint or for a stocking position at a warehouse or any other easily obtained position. There are many different aspects that come into play when trying to apply for a job when you are living on the streets. First of all, you don't have an address or a phone number, meaning you cannot be considered for a position or receive possible call backs if you are even considered. In addition, many different jobs require a uniform that you have to pay for or have a certain dress code that you can't abide by. You would also think that earning this little bit of money may be easy by panhandling or getting cash for scrap gold that you steal or find on the streets, but the costs don't stop there. It is essential that you arrive to work on time, which may require the individual to take public transit that can add up as the months pass by. Also, things that working people need to do, like shower everyday, eat, and have clean clothes to wear are really hard for people who are homeless.
Another common myth directed to those living on the streets is that they are drunk or high all the time, which is why they sleep outside in public places. Many web collaboration tool studies throughout Canada indicate that just under half of the homeless people living in Canada are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Also, with some exceptions, many people sleep and hang out in public places during the day because it is not safe to sleep at night or to hang out in shady neighbourhoods. Members of the public mistakenly think that homeless people are ones who are violent and will steal from you any chance they can. But the fact of the matter is that many homeless people, especially women, are targets of violence, theft, and rape.
One of the other myths that's quite common regarding the homeless population in Canada is that there are only people living on the streets in large cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Yet, homeless people exist across our nation and even in the most quant places like Halton Hills. Real estate may not be as prominent in these areas and condos are not going up every day and forcing people out their homes in these towns, but there are still many Canadians, who lose their jobs, then get evicted from their homes and are forced to live on the street. This brings up yet another homeless myth. Many think that those who live on the street are bottom feeding, degenerate types. Yet, some people lose their jobs and are forced to live in a homeless shelter. One minute you can be working for Mississauga condos and have a great home and family, then the next minute you could lose your fortune in bad investments and be forced to live in a shelter or on someone's couch. Homeless can be defined many different ways.
The bottom line is, it is not nearly as easy to get off the streets as one may think and not all homeless people fit the mould of the ones you see on the news. It takes a lot more than a few bucks in your pocket and a kick in your step to turn your life around. The more social programs and government funding that gets put it in place for homeless people, the more opportunities they will have to get back on their feet.
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