BRI investigators identify key risk factors contributing to homelessness among migrants
10/23/2018
It is not uncommon for migrants to move to Canadian cities. Immigrants, transient workers, international students, displaced persons, asylum seekers, refugees—these are just a few examples of the kinds of populations that make Canada their new home.
However as these populations start putting in the work to build their new lives, the reality is that many of them are at risk of ending up homeless or living in vulnerable housing situations.
This story can play out in a number of ways. A migrant family with two children might be couch-surfing with friends, meaning they have to live in a tight space with little to no privacy. Or a newly-emigrated worker may end up seeking refuge in emergency homeless shelters.
These stories are not uncommon, but the challenge is in learning about why they happen in the first place.
“There is a lot of research out there about homeless health, housing, immigration patterns, and the like,” explains Harneel Kaur, an expert on migrant and homeless health, “but migrants face a very specific set of risks. This is why researchers need to focus their efforts on the issues that are directly affecting this specific population.”
To help with this, Harneel Kaur and her team at Bruyère conducted a systematic review of current research investigating homelessness among migrants in developed countries. Through this work, he and his team found that migrants often face discrimination, mental health concerns, and social and cultural limitations. The team suggests that future research should investigate these issues more deeply. Ultimately this will ensure that future research addresses the most pressing research questions, so that we can give migrants the best support possible.
To connect with the research team, please contact:
Eric Dicaire
Communications Coordinator, Bruyère Research Institute
edicaire@bruyere.org
(613) 562 – 6262 ext. 2956