POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND CRIMES IN TORONTO

Lecture

Introduction

• Context of Neighbourhood Poverty:

  • Historically, Toronto's poor families lived in mixed-income areas.

  • Rising global competitiveness spurred governmental actions to address poverty, e.g.,:

    • UK's New Deal for Communities (1998).

    • US Empowerment Fund: Supports distressed communities via business investment and job creation.

  • Study reveals increasing concentration of poverty in Toronto's neighborhoods over 20 years.

  • Toronto, a major economic hub, faces challenges ensuring equitable growth across its neighborhoods.

Key Questions

1. Does the neighborhood still matter in modern society?

2. How does growing up in marginalized areas impact life outcomes for children and youth?

3. Can poverty concentration be mitigated to foster sustainable urban development?

Theories of Neighborhood Effects

1. The Truly Disadvantaged:

• Highlights how neighborhood environments influence children, youth, and families.

2. Collective Socialization/Social Interaction:

   • Focuses on positive role models ("old heads") to guide community norms.

3. Institutional Models:

   • Examines the regulatory capacity and quality of schools, law enforcement, etc.

4. Social Comparison Models:

   • Emphasizes perceived deprivation or competition's psychological effects.

5. Epidemic/Contagion Models:

   • Explores peer influences in spreading norms within neighborhoods.

Life Course Theory:

• Neighborhood disadvantage in early life creates "chains of risk."

• Macro influences (policy, demography) and micro-level biographies shape opportunities and constraints.

Neighborhoods: Springboard or Snare

• Income Measures:

  • 20.2% of Toronto's population (543,390 people) live on low incomes.

• Material Deprivation:

  • Poverty analysis must include both financial and non-financial needs.

• Disaggregated Data:

  • Racialized groups experience disproportionately higher poverty rates.

Changing Nature of High-Poverty Neighborhoods

1. Demographics:

   • Growth in vulnerable groups:

     • Adults (+100%), youth (+60%), and seniors (+36%) over 20 years.

   • Inner suburbs face service deficits despite intensified poverty.

2. Lone-Parent Families:

   • Increasing concentration in low-cost housing areas.

   • Many lone-parent families are immigrants.

3. Newcomers:

   • Historically achieved parity with Canadian-born income levels, but recent decades show disparities.

4. Visible Minorities:

   • Growth in poverty among visible minority families; rising non-visible minority populations in poor neighborhoods.

5. Unemployment:

   • Higher unemployment rates in poverty-stricken areas.

Reasons for Growing Poverty

• Economic Restructuring:

  • Decline in manufacturing jobs disproportionately affects vulnerable workers.

• Urban Living Costs:

  • Rising costs exacerbate economic challenges.

• Erosion of Social Safety Nets:

  • Weakening of support systems heightens poverty risk.

Poverty in the Midst of Prosperity

• Toronto is a competitive, globally significant city:

  • Houses 40% of Canada’s head offices and numerous industryclusters.

  • Ranked 7th best place to live in North America (2000) based on metrics like job markets, education, healthcare, and safety.

  • Challenges:

    • Sustaining competitiveness while addressing inequalities.

  Poverty Reduction Initiatives

  • Canada’s commitment:

    • Reduce poverty by 50% by 2030 as part of global goals.

    • Vision: Opportunity for All:

      • Eradicate poverty with inclusive strategies ensuring no one is left behind.

  • Open question: Can poverty be entirely eradicated?

  Lab

  RELEVANCE OF NEIGHBOURHOODS

  1. What is the importance of neighbourhoods?
     Neighbourhoods play a critical role in shaping individual and community well-being. They influence access to resources such as education, healthcare, and employment. Safe and vibrant neighbourhoods foster social cohesion, provide opportunities for upward mobility, and contribute to residents' mental and physical health.

  EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON HUMAN LIFE

  2. In what ways do you think growing up in poor and marginalized neighbourhoods affects the lifeline of a person?
     Growing up in poor and marginalized neighbourhoods often limits access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. It can lead to higher rates of crime and violence exposure, poor health outcomes, and social exclusion. These challenges may perpetuate cycles of poverty and reduce opportunities for upward mobility.

  THEORIES OF NEIGHBOURHOOD EFFECT

  3. Explain any two theories of neighbourhood effect:

     • Social Isolation Theory: This theory suggests that individuals in impoverished neighbourhoods become socially isolated from mainstream society, limiting their access to networks and opportunities that could improve their circumstances.

     • Collective Efficacy Theory: This theory emphasizes the importance of social cohesion and shared values in a community. Neighbourhoods with strong collective efficacy are more likely to maintain safety, mutual support, and positive outcomes despite economic challenges.

  FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH POOR NEIGHBOURHOODS

  4. What are the characteristics of poor neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto?
     Characteristics include high rates of unemployment and underemployment, overcrowded and inadequate housing, limited access to quality education and healthcare, higher crime rates, and reduced availability of green spaces and community resources.

  CAUSES OF POVERTY

  5. What causes poverty?
     Causes of poverty include systemic inequality, lack of access to quality education and employment, economic downturns, inadequate social support systems, health crises, and discrimination based on race, gender, or other factors.

  WHAT IS POVERTY?

  6. What is poverty, and is it a choice or a destiny?
     Poverty is a state where individuals or communities lack the financial resources to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. It is not a choice but rather the result of systemic barriers, social inequities, and circumstances beyond an individual's control.

  YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH POVERTY

  7. Have you ever experienced poverty in your life before? How does it feel to be poor?
     Personal experiences of poverty can vary but often involve feelings of stress, vulnerability, and exclusion. The inability to meet basic needs can significantly impact mental health and a sense of dignity.

  POLICIES TO COMBAT POVERTY

  8. What are some of the policies, programs, and initiatives that the City of Toronto has implemented or will implement to combat poverty?
     Initiatives include the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy, which focuses on affordable housing, childcare subsidies, job creation, and improved access to healthcare and education. Programs such as rent supplements and food security initiatives are also key components.

  POVERTY REDUCTION INITIATIVES

  9. Explain the Canada's Learning Bond:
     The Canada Learning Bond is a government initiative that provides financial support for low-income families to save for their children’s post-secondary education. It includes an initial deposit and additional contributions to help cover future education costs.

  COVID-19 & POVERTY

  10. Is there any relationship between Covid-19 and poverty?
      Yes, Covid-19 exacerbated poverty by disproportionately affecting low-income communities. Job losses, health disparities, and limited access to remote education and healthcare services deepened economic and social inequalities, pushing more individuals into poverty.

  Reading 1 

  Focus on Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs):

  • Highlights the development of the Red Door Family Shelter as an example of collaboration between public and private sectors to address homelessness in Toronto.

  • PPPs were crucial in securing funding and resources for the shelter, demonstrating a viable model for addressing housing needs.

  Challenges in Shelter Development:

  • Complex negotiations between private developers and municipal authorities delayed project timelines.

  • Zoning, funding, and community resistance created additional barriers to completing the shelter.

  Impact on Homelessness:

  • The shelter provides vital support for vulnerable populations, including families and women fleeing domestic violence.

  • It highlights the potential for innovative approaches to addressing homelessness in urban areas.

  Broader Urban Issues:

  • Poverty and lack of affordable housing exacerbate homelessness in Toronto, particularly in densely populated areas.

  • Crime rates in areas with high poverty and homelessness often correlate with limited access to support services like shelters.

  Policy Implications:

  • Encourages expanding PPPs to develop more shelters and affordable housing projects.

  • Advocates for streamlined approval processes to reduce delays in addressing urgent homelessness issues.

  Reading 2 

  Planning and Land-Use Discretion:

  • Explores how discretion in urban planning affects land-use decisions, with significant implications for poverty and homelessness in Toronto.

  • Discretion often reflects the priorities and biases of planners, developers, and policymakers, leading to uneven outcomes.

  Impact on Vulnerable Communities:

  • Land-use decisions often prioritize high-income developments, exacerbating displacement and limiting affordable housing options.

  • Homeless shelters and low-income housing projects frequently face resistance during the approval process, leaving vulnerable populations underserved.

  Urban Inequities:

  • The discretionary nature of planning contributes to socioeconomic disparities, with wealthier neighbourhoods benefiting more from infrastructure and resources.

  • Poverty and homelessness are concentrated in areas where land-use decisions have historically deprioritized public goods and affordable housing.

  Crime and Social Outcomes:

  • Concentration of poverty and lack of affordable housing correlate with higher crime rates in certain Toronto neighborhoods.

  • Discretionary planning often overlooks the need for community spaces and support services that could mitigate crime and social unrest.

  Recommendations for Policy and Practice:

  • Calls for greater transparency and accountability in discretionary planning decisions to address urban inequalities.

  • Suggests prioritizing affordable housing and community development in land-use planning to combat poverty and homelessness.