Canadian homeless mobilities: Tracing the inter-regional movements of At Home/Chez Soi participants

Abstract

People experiencing homelessness are simultaneously socially and physically mobile. Individuals move through periods of housing stability and houselessness and varying degrees of financial (in)stability, and between different geographic spaces. Research concerning homeless mobilities emphasizes moves within cities and reveals seven factors deserving attention: housing; labour markets; social, health, and justice services; personal health; the attributes of different places; interpersonal networks; and how mobility is socially differentiated. However, the extent to which these factors shape homelessness and inter-regional mobilities is unclear. Addressing this gap, I explore 612 people's moves using data collected from five Canadian cities. By analyzing participants' inter-regional moves over ten years, I identify ten themes of homeless inter-regional mobility in Canada including: interpersonal networks, the attributes of different places, labour markets and personal finances, the use of movement for personal growth, health and social services, residential mobilities, legal and health institutions, substance abuse and dependence, personal security, and travel. I find that the structures, institutions, resources, and personal experiences that produce homelessness simultaneously push people between places. Amidst an increasing emphasis aimed at understanding homeless experiences in Canada, this paper provides an overview of the inter-regional mobilities of people experiencing homelessness in Canada.