Homeless in a Canadian winter: There are no snow days for women and families experiencing homelessness
January 18 2022
If you have lived in Canada for a year or longer, you’re likely familiar with Canada’s iconic winter weather. Powdery snow, glistening icicles, and sparkly snowflakes galore! While many love this classic winter experience, these sub-zero temperatures, and dangerous conditions pose life-threatening risks to folks without the privilege of shelter, mobility, and access to basic necessities.
Inclement weather and lack of shelter
The most obvious barrier caused by Canadian weather is the cold. People living outside in sub-zero temperatures are at increased risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and a weakened immune system. Folks simply cannot remain outside in Canada’s harsh conditions. As a result, warmer centers and emergency shelters are stretched to their limits to accommodate the demand for increased support.
How can you help?
Help homelessness services immediately by donating to non-profit organizations supporting homeless men, women, and families. Your gift will make sure everyone has blankets, hot food, winter wear, and beds for those in need of emergency shelter. However, you can also support all year long by advocating for affordable housing. By addressing the greater need for more housing, we can ensure families can stay out of the cold for many winters to come.
Heavy snow and accessibility
22% of Canadian’s life with some form of disability. And while not all will identify with mobility barriers, many will be affected by the inability to leave their home, access the sidewalk, or climb over snowbanks. We know that snowplows are working around the clock to clear the way, but you can also play an important role in making your neighbourhood accessible during inclement weather.
How can you help?
Check in on your loved one by phone or text. Do they have everything they need, such as food, running water, flashlights, and batteries? Clear your sidewalks as soon as you can. Folks with cardiac, raspatory or mobility difficulties could find snow to be a challenging, if not impossible, barrier to accessing community services and healthcare.
Dangerous travel and precarious work
As folks across Niagara work from home or enjoy a Snow Day with their family, others brave slippery roads and treacherous snowbanks to get to work. But, why would so many take the risk? The reality for many folks, especially those in low-income positions and precarious work, there is no option to take a day off due to weather. Skipping a single day of work, even in the interest of safety, could be the difference between making rent, or choosing heat over groceries.
How can you help?
Canadians should not need to risk their lives on their commute to work to be able to pay the bills. You can help make Canadians safer by advocating for mandatory paid time off, such as sick days, emergency leave, and personal time off.
Canadian winters can be beautiful, but other with the property tools and resources in place to make winter work for everyone. Are you ready to do more for women and families experiencing homelessness this winter? Join the YWCA Niagara Region on February 26th as we participate in Coldest Night of the Year – West Niagara. This winterrific family-friendly walk raises money for the YW’s West Niagara Transitional Housing program, providing affordable housing to women and children in need.
Team up, walk, and fundraise! It’s cold out there… but there’s no place like home.
