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People stuck in homeless cycle From page 1. 17 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, October 13, 2016 over-incarceration of Indigenous peoples. And government and Canadians need to understand and emphasize the growing crisis of poverty and discriminatory treatment of Indigenous peoples," she said. "The historical introduction of foreign systems such as education, justice, health and child protection have left Aboriginal peoples in a cycle of economic dependency, including high rates of poverty and unemployment." The disproportionately high number of homeless Aboriginal residents is just one finding in the homeless report, which is finally putting numbers on a growing issue in York that has been discussed in recent years, but has had little data to substantiate it. At the same time, the report isn't a complete picture because there are many invisible homeless, including people who couch-surf where they can find a temporary bed, Cordelia Abankwa, the region's general manager of social services, said. "When people think of homelessness, they tend to think of street homelessness. And I think one of the things that we're very fortunate with in York Region is that we have a real opportunity to prevent homelessness, to keep it from turning into the sort of on-the-street homelessness we see in other jurisdictions," she said, adding it is almost impossible to reverse street homelessness once it reaches a critical point. "When we started having conversations in a really serious way about homelessness, the focus was on prevention." The report's data was pulled from the region's first point-in-time count Jan. 20 and 21, which tallied the homeless found in shelters and on the streets, and from the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System, which collects and analyzes data on the use of emergency shelters in Canada. "Our data reveals that in York Region, homelessness is caused by no single factor and exists across all demographics," the report said. "It is not an issue exclusive to a particular group or demographic and could happen to anyone. While homelessness in York Region is most often a one-time temporary situation, for some, it is a more chronic issue with individuals cycling in and out of homelessness or staying homeless for lengthy periods of time." Findings include: · In 2015, 1,103 people used emergency shelters or transitional housing in York Region, although regional officials acknowledge demand may be higher as they are often at capacity. · Twelve per cent of people using emergency shelters are children aged 16 and under. · More than three-quarters of people accessing homeless supports in York were born in Canada. · Males and youth aged 16 to 24 are overrepresented in the homeless population. Fundraiser Dance Saturday October 29, 2016 9:00 pm - 1:00 am The Royal Canadian Legion 150 Mostar Street, Stouffville (behind the Teva Pharma Plant) Live DJ Mike Feld @ Most Excellent Productions Dance Tickets available at the Door ONLY $20 per person CASH; Onsite ATM!! Adults 19+ (limited tickets ­ come early, don't miss the fun) Home Comfort is our SPECIALTY "Call Us For All Your Heating and Air Conditioning Needs!" QUALITY PRODUCTS QUALITY INSTALLATION ULTIMATE COMFORT Prizes for best costume! 50/50 Raf e Prizes! FREE Potluck Buffet and FREE Parking Draw Bus Shuttle from Musselman's Lake ­ see MLRA website 4 details Bus Shuttle from Musselman' s Lake ­ see MLRA website 4 details www.musselmanslake.ca All proceeds donated to MLRA + CCA Community Associations 6204 Bethesda Sd. Rd. Stouffville, Ontario L4A 3A7 (905) 640-1428 (905) 852-5934 www.kensmurthwaiteheating.com