Homelessness is worsening in Canada as housing costs climb.

But relying on short-term shelters has been shown to be more expensive than providing stable housing, meaning a new approach is required.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Jiaying Zhao, Anita Palepu and Daniel Daly-Grafstein of the University of British Columbia write about their research project — in partnership with donors and other organizations — in which they provided $7,500 cash transfers to dozens of homeless people in the province’s Lower Mainland.

They saw positive impacts of the cash transfers, with recipients spending 99 fewer days in homelessness on average over one year as they spent the money rent, food, transit and items like furniture or a car. The findings suggest governments “should explore cash transfers as a way of supporting unhoused and marginalized people,” they write.

Also today:

All the best,

Ibrahim Daair

Culture + Society Editor
A tent on the sidewalk in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Cash transfers can help people find suitable accommodations and save governments money. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

We gave $7,500 to people experiencing homelessness — here’s what happened next

Jiaying Zhao, University of British Columbia; Anita Palepu, University of British Columbia; Daniel Daly-Grafstein, University of British Columbia

Researchers found that most homeless people spent the money they received on rent, food and other living costs.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologized for writing letters in support for fellow actor Danny Masterson during his rape trial. Masterson was later found guilty and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women. (Instagram/aplusk)

Hollywood letters of support for Danny Masterson demonstrate the pervasiveness of myths about rape culture

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University

In letters to the judge, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis asked for Masterson to be shown leniency based on his supposedly good character.
A recent study has found that Canadians are highly motivated to save money in preparation of long-term care. (Shutterstock)

Older Canadians’ savings are shaped by their long-term care preferences

Marie-Louise Leroux, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM); Bertrand Achou, University of Groningen; Franca Glenzer, HEC Montréal; Minjoon Lee, Carleton University; Philippe De Donder, Toulouse School of Economics – École d'Économie de Toulouse

While both nursing homes and home care impose financial burdens, their differing structures can influence how older Canadians save money.
The Competition Bureau has been ordered to pay $13 million to Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications by the Competition Tribunal. (Shutterstock)

Despite legal costs awarded to Rogers-Shaw, the competition commissioner’s challenge to the telecom merger was not a waste of taxpayer money

Jennifer Quaid, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Enforcement agencies like the Competition Bureau have a duty to pursue cases they consider to be well-founded and in the public interest. But it’s unrealistic to expect they will win every time.
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. About 80 per cent of infected people have no symptoms, but the virus can cause encephalitis and can be life-threatening. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

What Canadians need to know about West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection that can be life-threatening

Muhammad Morshed, University of British Columbia

West Nile virus arrived in North America in 1999 and spread across the continent by 2005. Here’s what you need to know about this mosquito-borne pathogen.
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, right, meets with U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in San Diego in March 2023 as part of AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between three countries. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP)

Why AUKUS is here to stay, despite looming roadblocks

Srdjan Vucetic, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

AUKUS faces political challenges right now, and the next year may bring even deeper problems. Big-picture geopolitical realities suggest AUKUS will survive.

La Conversation Canada
En embrassant votre chat ou votre chien, vous courez certains risques de contracter des maladies -quoique minimes! (Shutterstock)

Donnez-vous des bisous à votre animal de compagnie ? Si oui, lisez ceci

Sarah McLean, Swinburne University of Technology; Enzo Palombo, Swinburne University of Technology

Les animaux, y compris ceux qui vivent dans nos maisons, peuvent être porteurs de toutes sortes de maladies. La plupart du temps, cela ne pose pas problème. Mais il y a quelques précautions à prendre.

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