“They have their security, we have our community”: Mutual support among people experiencing homelessness in encampments in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Unaffordable housing is a growing crisis in Canada, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet perspectives of people living outdoors in encampments have primarily gone unheard. We conducted qualitative interviews with encampment residents to explore how mutual support occurred within the social context of encampments. We found that mutually supportive interactions helped residents meet basic survival needs, as well as health and social needs, and reduced common health and safety risks related to homelessness. The homelessness sector should acknowledge that encampment residents form their own positive communities, and ensure policies and services do not isolate people from these beneficial social connections.

Keywords

• Homelessness
• Encampment
• Social exclusion
• Mutual support
• Sense of community