The View From The Sidewalk
Towards A New Definition Of People Who Are Homeless
A Study By Organic Intellectuals
This report is the product of a community-based research project on homelessness.
The project consisted of research and interviews throughout BC, and critical
analysis of policy documents by a team of Organic Intellectuals.
An 'Organic Intellectual' is someone whose knowledge is derived through
firsthand experience, and whose life-learning is complemented by self education
and other alternative forms of learning.
This site also provides information on a forum that is being organized for
April 2002.
Background
The project was a response to the fact that research and policy development
focussed on homelessness is the exclusive domain of consultants, government
bureaucrats and academics.
Despite their wealth of knowledge and experience, the homeless themselves
do not have the opportunity to take part in research on homelessness and the
creation of policies that aim to address homelessness.
The task of the Organic Intellectuals who participated in this project was
to review existing definitions, literature and policies on homelessness, conduct
province-wide interviews with people who are homeless, and to reflect on
and synthesize this research and experience.
Research included regional consultations with homeless individuals in Greater
Vancouver and communities throughout British Columbia (Prince George, Victoria,
Kamloops, Nanaimo, Kelowna and Terrace), and sought to include the unique
experiences of different groups (i.e. women, First Nations, youth, people
outside of the Lower Mainland, foster kids).
The
View from the Sidewalk
The report presents a working definition of homelessness that we feel accurately
describes homelessness and its associated issues, from the point of view
of people most affected. The report also provides some discussion and general
recommendations for policy directions.
The report, although critical, does not seek to vilify the work of civil
servants, consultants, elected officials, service providers or those that
advocate for the homeless. Rather, it insists that there is knowledge that
cannot, and should not, be silenced.
Click here to download the paper:
The View From The Sidewalk
Towards A New Definition Of People Who Are Homeless
A Study By
Organic Intellectuals
This document a first draft offered for your comments and constructive criticism.
You can send your comments by email to voice@vcn.bc.ca .
Vancouver
Organic Intellectuals Conference for Everyone
A Forum for the
Homeless to Speak and to Organize
April
2002
We are planning a forum to build on the foundation of the Organic Intellectuals
research project. The report and feedback on the report will be used as
the starting point for more in-depth analysis of what causes and perpetuates
homelessness, and the implications for policy and for community action.
The forum will be a means to voice the opinions, experiences and theories
of homeless people.
The forum is intended as more than just a conference for information sharing
and discussion.
It is specifically intended to result in capacity building and organizing
within the homeless community in order to plan actions and bring about real
change at both local and national scales.
The forum will include representatives from the regions of BC that the Organic
Intellectuals visited, as well as members of the homeless population within
Greater Vancouver.
Please visit this site again in January for more details about the forum
and how to get involved.
Interested in more information?
Want to share your thoughts?
If you have any questions or observations about our report please e-mail
your comments to
voice@vcn.bc.ca
.
CONTACT
For more information contact us at:
voice@vcn.bc.ca
