Perceptions Of Homelessness

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Perceptions Of Homelessness In Canada
GCI Group November, 2005
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Background Methodology

• 1435 Canadians, from POLLARAs on-line panel,
  conducted the on-line survey from November 11th
  to the 15th, 2005.
• Respondents were asked four questions regarding
  homelessness in Canada in addition to questions
  concerning their age, household income, and
  region of residence.
• Data collected from panel members is weighted to
  geographically represent all Canadians and the
  results have a margin of error of 2.59, 19
  times out of 20.

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Almost two-thirds (63) of Canadians feel
homelessness has increased over the past three
years.

• Canadians living in British Columbia are the
  mostly likely to feel that homelessness in Canada
  has increased over the past three years (77).
• As household income levels increase, Canadians
  are less likely to feel that homelessness has
  decreased (from 44 among Canadians who earn a
  household income less than 25,000 to 35 among
  Canadians who earn a household income of 75,000
  or more).
• The highest proportion of Canadians who feel that
  homelessness is increasing are 65 years or older
  (81), while only 47 of those between 18 to 24
  years old feel the same.

Q Do you feel that over the past three years
homelessness in Canada is (n1435, November 2005)
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Half (52) of Canadians agree that the high cost
of housing is contributing to more people being
homeless.

• Respondents from the Atlantic provinces are the
  most likely to agree that the high cost of
  housing is contributing to more homelessness in
  Canada (56).
• Canadians who earn a household income between
  25,000 and 50,000 are the most likely to agree
  that the high cost of housing is contributing to
  an increase in homeless people (73).
• Canadians between 55 and 64 years of age are the
  most likely to agree that the high cost of
  housing is contributing to more people being
  homeless (73).

Total Disagree 36
Total Agree 52
Q The high cost of housing in Canada is
contributing to more people being homeless.
(n1435, November 2005)
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The vast majority of Canadians (81) believe the
number of homeless people can be reduced.

• Respondents from Ontario are the most likely to
  agree that it is possible to reduce homelessness
  in Canada (85).
• Canadians who earn a household income between
  50,000 and 75,000 are the most likely to agree
  that it is possible to reduce the number of
  homeless people (90) while those who earn a
  household income of less than 25,000 are the
  most likely to disagree (33).
• Canadians 65 years and older are the most likely
  to agree that it is possible to reduce
  homelessness (89), while those between 25 and 44
  years old are the most likely to disagree (17).

Total Disagree 11
Total Agree 81
Q It is possible to reduce the number of
homeless people in Canada. (n1435, November 2005)
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Three-in-ten (30) Canadians believe municipal
governments have made the most significant
contribution toward reducing homelessness in
Canada, most are unsure.

• Respondents who live in Newfoundland and Labrador
  are the most likely to mention the Federal
  Government (32), respondents from British
  Columbia are the most likely to mention
  Provincial Governments (28), while respondents
  from Ontario and Alberta are the most like to
  mention Municipal Governments (37 and 35,
  respectively).
• Just under half (47) of Canadians who earn a
  household income of less than 25,000 believe
  Municipal Governments have made the the most
  significant contribution to reducing
  homelessness.
• Only 16 of Canadians 65 years of age or older do
  not know which level of government makes the most
  significant contribution to reducing
  homelessness, just under half (47) of the same
  age group believes the Federal Government makes
  the most significant contribution.

Q Which level of government has made the most
significant contribution towards reducing
homelessness in Canada? (n1435, November 2005)
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