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Poverty And Homelessness. What is Poverty?. Poverty is the lack of essential items needed to support the basic needs for a human life. 6 Basic human needs 1) water 2) nutrition 3) health care 4) security and safety 5) shelter 6) education.
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What is Poverty? • Poverty is the lack of essential items needed to support the basic needs for a human life. 6 Basic human needs 1) water 2) nutrition 3) health care 4) security and safety 5) shelter 6) education
Hollywood has helped put a face to this problem in North America
How many People live in Poverty? Recently the World Population officially reached 7 Billion People. The number of People living in Povertyhas reached 1.7 Billion People. That is 25%.On Average, that is 1 out of 4 people in the world.
5% of Canadians live below the “basic needs” poverty line.This represents 1.6 million Canadians.Canada has a high tax rate which supports many programs for its citizens.
Much is done in Canada to reduce poverty. Canada has… • reduced income tax rates for low income workers. • Government paid medical care, old age security, education , and Welfare for non-workers. • minimum wage of $20,000/year for 40 hours /week. • an income of $11,000 is needed for “basic needs” for one person. ($22,000 for a family of 4)
The United States has fewer social programs In the USA , 39.8 million people (13.2% ) – live below the “basic needs” poverty line. This is the highest poverty rate since 1997 … the largest number of people in poverty since 1960.
The most unfortunate in poverty are Homeless Homelessness is extreme poverty (without shelter). 3 Types of Homeless: 1) Absolute (on the streets, referred to as "rough sleepers") 2) Shelter dwellers (staying temporarily in emergency shelters or hostels) 3) “Hidden" (staying temporarily with friends or family), "at risk" of homelessness.
Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) A five-storey building at 362 Erb St. W. The S.H.O.W. project provides the city’s first apartment building that will provide daily, 24-hour supportive care.Waterloo Region has over 70 persistent homeless people.
In the Developing World… • Close to 40% of the developing world is in Poverty • The Poverty line requires at least $2.00 per day for “basic needs”
In developing countries, most homeless survive in large cities. Unofficial communities in these large cities form where people live in makeshift shelters. These communities go by many names and are widespread in cities of developing nations on all continents.
Impoverished Urban Areas have some different names in the Developing World …. It is an increasing problem. Slum Barrio Shanty-town Favella Squatter Settlement
Not everyone can be a “slum-dog millionaire” … and win their way out of poverty
“SLUM” population is increasing very fast in the world. People here do not own property.They are often termed “squatters” In 1990, this population was 700 million. In 2000, it grew to 900 million.
SLUM settlements are expandingInfra-structureis lacking here….Infrastructure is ….1)roads, 2) water supply, 3)waste collection/disposal, 4)storm water drainage, 5) electricity 6)schools, 7) medical clinics, 8)public parkland and More
Slum areas are on the “outskirts” ofbig cities in developing countries
Squatter Settlements… are often found in areas prone to natural disasters like floods, landslides and pollution.
Many Slums are Not protected by Police. Slums can be breeding grounds for crime, prostitution, drug trafficking and diseases like malaria, cholera and HIV/AIDS
Many children are forced to fill grown up roles as their parents sadly die.
Squatters now represent the largest % of urban population in developing countries.
The underground economy is used to make money: Shining shoes, selling souvenirs, writing letters for others, prostitution, crime, drugs, garbage collecting and begging for money.
The number of Squatters in the world is now estimated at over 1.2 billion
There is no single cause of poverty. There are many factors that contribute to poverty in developing nations. Some main contributors are….
Lack of Education: Education opens doors to jobs that lift families out of poverty. Children are kept from school because they support their family with additional income.
Health Issues: Poor health affects the ability to work, lowering income perpetuating poverty. HIV/AIDS or Malaria adds high medical costs that impoverished families cannot afford.
IneffectiveGovernment In many developing nations, the government and large companiesare often corrupt, and self serving.
Missing Essential Services Because No taxes are paid, there is no source of money to improve Squatter communities in poor countries. The following are poor in quality or absent … Roads, Sewers, Electricity, Fire fighters, Public sanitation, Public education, Medical care, Fresh water, and especially Police
‘The Cycle of Poverty' 1) Young children work to support parents. 2) They get low-paying jobs because of the lack of education, 3) They age and marryand want many children to support them… just like they supported their parents. The Cycle continues …. population grows.
To break the poverty cycle…1) Ensure food, water, shelter and security issues are available.2) Expand Education for children. 3) Make Health care accessible to all
Some Helpful Organizations from the MDCs help LDCs World Bank, UN-HABITAT, CIDA, and Habitat for Humanity have helped by providing food, water, shelters, health care and education to Slum areas. The goal is to break the CYCLE OF POVERTY.