Pathways for Refugees’ Descent into Homelessness in Edmonton, Alberta: the Urgent Need for Policy and Procedural Change
Abstract
This study investigated how refugees in Edmonton, Alberta descend into homelessness. We conducted interviews with 19 adult refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. All of them experienced homelessness after their arrival. We also did focus groups with housing support workers. These conversations helped us to identify several types of critical incidents that can lead refugees to become homeless after migration. These incidents are: (a) abandonment by or conflict with their sponsor(s), (b) abandonment by settlement counsellors/housing case workers, (c) sudden rent increases, (d) discrimination by landlords or neighbors, and (e) property infestations. These incidents sometimes become paired with long waiting lists for subsidized housing and a lack of knowledge of Canada’s official languages and housing system. This combination create circumstances in which refugees are most likely to become homeless. This study also highlighted critical loopholes in immigration policy implementation. We argue that these loopholes need to be addressed as soon as possible to improve refugee housing outcomes.
Notes
Key recommendations
(1) Increase in affordable non-market housing by provincial and municipal levels of government;
(2) Putting in place a rent supplement program so the refugees can afford private renal market housing;
(3) Federal government waiving transportation and medical loans, so it doesn’t compromise their housing affordability;
(4) To address the above three points, the authors recommend provision of a long-term (5 years post-arrival) case management system for all refugee categories in Canada.
Key populations
Homeless refugees (19 adult refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria)
service providers (10 service providers (six settlement counselors, two cultural brokers, and two housing support/case worker)
Key findings
This study explores the factors that lead to refugees’ homelessness experiences from their own perspectives and the perspectives of service providers assisting them with finding housing.
The findings suggest that a number of factors contribute to refugees’ homelessness experience, including:
(1) repayment of refugee transportation loans
(2) sudden rent increases
(3) interpersonal conflicts with sponsors
(4) racism or discrimination on the part of landlords or neighbors
(5) property infestations
They become more likely to remain homeless when they are put on waiting lists for affordable or subsidized housing or when facing lack of English language or housing system knowledge.
Community organizations
NA
Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Gaps identified
One reason the participants became displaced was due to the gap in housing options in Canada. Refugees were placed in unaffordable, over-crowded, or poor quality housing while they did not receive any further support from their housing worker.
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
On average – 5 years after arrival
Open-access – No