New research initiatives: addressing global homelessness.

Homelessness is a global social issue that affects both industrializing and industrialized countries. Increasingly, researchers are indicating that problems related to social injustice and poverty are linked cross-nationally, requiring us to look for answers beyond our borders (Cross, Seager, Erasmus, Ward, & O’Donovan, 2010). We must become aware of the global impact of homelessness and share knowledge about best practices that can address this critical social issue in various countries. Kemeny and Lowe (1998) argue that there are underlying similarities in homelessness issues among all countries and that “awareness of varied experiences of other societies, cultures and jurisdictions in dealing with the housing issue facilitates a more informed assessment of our own national experience and priorities and can help confront assumptions” (p. 162). In 2007 an interdisciplinary global homelessness research group was formed, with participants from South Africa and Canada. Researchers from Germany joined in 2011. On close examination, Canada and South Africa have more similarities related to homelessness than might be expected. The two countries are rich within the context of their continent. Both are classified as middleto high-income countries yet present various housing and homelessness situations and degrees of poverty. Although South Africa is classified as a middleto high-income country, its income disparities are among the most extreme in the world (Homeless International, 2012). South Africa and Canada have multicultural populations in which immigrant and migrant workers account for an increasing proportion of the labour force. Both countries encounter challenges meeting the demand for affordable and/or subsidized housing. Homelessness issues are more visible on the political agenda in Canada. South Africa, as a new democratic state, has other urgent problems (HIV/AIDS, poverty, crime and violence) that are higher on the priority list of politicians. Strategies and policies to address homelessness are related to political, economic, religious, societal, or public forces that influence the priorities of and pressures faced by governments and deciCJNR 2012, Vol. 44 No 4, 117–121