Homelessness, visibility, and mis-placed responses for addressing the crisis in mid-size cities

Presentation Summary: As homelessness becomes increasingly visible in cities across the country, mid-size cities face unique challenges as they come to terms with the reality of the crisis in their city. In response to housed neighbours demands that the city 'do something,' many municipalities are turning to punitive approaches to address the problem of visible homelessness in the short-term, which often results in long-term harm and further entrenchment in homelessness. In this presentation, we will discuss the nature of the dominant narratives about homelessness in mid-size cities, the cycle of complaints and criminalization, and a call for practical, dignity-centred solutions that foster empathy and community building for all.

Speaker Biography: Erin Dej is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been studying homelessness for the past 15 years, guided by the lived experts she works with. Erin's research focuses on the social exclusion…