Click on the Link Below for a Five (5) Page Document From the COH – Housed on https://www.homelesshub.ca/
https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/COHhomelessdefinition.pdf
by Shari Prymak
As you approach the final stage of purchasing your new car from the dealership, you will likely be presented with a wide range of extra-cost items which you may not be prepared for. The business office is the place where the dealership takes a final opportunity to sell you on various add-ons before closing the deal. While some of these options might be worth considering, others are simply not worth the money. It is important to understand what you are being offered in order to make a fully informed purchase decision.
Administration/Documentation Fees – Avoid
Many dealerships will try to charge admin/doc fees anywhere from $299 to $799 as part of the itemized breakdown on the new car purchase agreement. It is important to understand that, unlike delivery and destination or provincial levies, this is not a mandatory fee which all dealerships charge. If possible, ask the dealership to waive this fee from the purchase agreement. Some will be willing to do so in order to close the deal. If the dealer cannot waive the charge, ask for a discount equal to or exceeding the amount of the charge.
Nitrogen Tire Package – Avoid
The idea here is that pure nitrogen helps to maintain consistent air pressure in the tires even through large temperature swings. Given that regular air already contains nearly 80 percent nitrogen, the argument for pure nitrogen is questionable to say the least. In any case, the money spent on this package will have been wasted the next time you fill your tires with regular air. Some dealers charge as much as $400 for this extra, and we recommend passing on it.
Wheel Locks – Avoid
Wheels locking nuts help protect your wheels from potential thieves. For $100 or so, it may be worth the charge on certain cars with fancy wheels, but it offers no value to the average mainstream car, particularly those with steel wheels and hubcaps. Locking nuts can also make tire rotations a major hassle since you have to keep the key in a safe, secure spot.
Window Etching – Avoid
Some dealers will charge up to $500 to etch the car’s VIN into the glass to deter thieves. Again, this is an extra that is not worth its price tag. Most thieves know to look for etching when stealing a car. If you still see value in it, you can purchase a do-it-yourself kit for a modest amount. If the dealer pre-installs etching on their cars and insists on the charge, simply ask for a discount to offset the cost.
Maintenance Plans – Avoid
Maintenance plans allow you to prepay for your car’s maintenance for the first few years of ownership. Although the idea may sound appealing, these plans rarely offer the value they promise. Maintenance plans can cost as much as $2,000 and basically only cover inexpensive items such as oil changes and inspections. With the extended service intervals of today’s cars, the money is better saved for out-of-pocket service visits.
Wheel and Tire Protection – Avoid
Some dealers may offer tire protection for up to $1,000. Tire protection plans are often filled with exclusions, including potholes, curbing, and nail punctures. Without these items being covered, the value of a tire protection package is questionable at best. We recommend passing on this extra.
Rust Protection – Consider
Dealerships typically offer a few options for rust protection, including a spray-on product, wax coating, or even electronic modules which supposedly prevent rust. These products can be priced as high as $1,500 and usually come with some kind of warranty. We recommend skipping the expensive and questionable dealer products and simply go with a time-tested, inexpensive alternative. One solid option is Krown Rust Control, which offers a proven oil spray application that can be very effective when applied on a regular basis. For more details on rust protection, please read this article.
Extended Warranty Plans – Consider
Extended warranty can provide peace of mind and value to those who drive over 20,000 km per year. High mileage drivers are more likely to take advantage of the extra coverage compared to those who only drive 10,000 km per year. An additional 2-3 years of full comprehensive coverage usually costs in the range of $2,500. Less expensive options that only cover the engine and transmission are available as well. It is important to verify that the warranty is a manufacturer plan as opposed to a third party provider. If you are unsure whether you want an extended warranty plan, then wait. You have until the end of the original comprehensive warranty period to decide on this extra.
Lease Protection – Consider
Lease protection is an excellent option to consider for those concerned about returning a car to the dealer at the end of the lease. At a cost of around $1,000, it protects you from potential wear and tear costs, including minor dents or scratches that the dealer could otherwise charge you for. Simply hand over the car and let the dealer deal with those issues.
Paint and Interior Protection – Consider
Dealers often have expensive cosmetic protection products for both exterior paint and interior surfaces. We recommend getting a quote from a reputable independent detailer which may offer far superior products. Vinyl paint protection film, ceramic paint coating, and fabric/leather protectors are all viable options for maintaining the long-term aesthetics of your car. You can even purchase and apply many of these products yourself to save money.
Accessories – Consider
Car accessories such as floor liners, tow packages, dash cams, and remote starters are often best purchased at the dealership. It is important that these items have been approved and tested for your car, and the dealership products will meet this requirement.
Published: April 01, 2026 at 8:58PM EDT
https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/video/2026/04/01/ark-aid-to-slash-beds-hours-amid-1m-funding-shortfall
Ark Aid Street Mission is sounding the alarm a day after a federal homelessness program and city hall’s cold weather response ended.
Executive Director Sarah Campbell says the financial shortfall will exceed $1 million for the frontline agency, forcing several difficult but necessary service cuts for homeless Londoners.
It represents approximately one-third of their operational funding, and means essential services like meals, showers, clothing, washroom access, assessments, referrals, and system navigation will now rely entirely on donor support.
A total of 50 overnight spaces this winter (across three locations) will immediately cease.
The Ark had operated London’s only seven day-a-week open door emergency service outside regular business hours.
Services at 696 Dundas St. will be reduced from between 20 and 24 hours a day — to just four hours.
“We’re currently stepping everything down, starting with the night beds for winter. We will then reduce our daytime hours and by the end of the month, we’ll have just four hours each day,” Campbell explained.
Those remaining hours will be around dinner time.
“We have anywhere between 50 to 70 people through the doors at any one time, and on an average weekend we’re seeing 400 unique individuals come through our space because on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays there are no other open doors,” Campbell added.
Twelve referral organizations had been utilizing The Ark as a drop-off location for homeless individuals, including London police and local hospitals.
Campbell is disappointed that no other government funding was made available before the previous federal program expired March 31.
“If we have zero government dollars, how do we make sure that we show up for the people who need us, when they need us most?” she asked rhetorically.
Among the other services lost or significantly reduced:
“These are essential basic needs, but they’re also life saving activities,” Campbell explained. “We don’t allow any drug use on site, but we do have overdoses around our building regularly. In fact, we’ve responded to 29 overdoses just since January, so being present here is critical.”
Ark Aid Street Mission is issuing an urgent plea to donors and all levels of government.
“We would like the funding gap filled by the municipal government because that’s the [level of government] we can go to directly, but it’s not their responsibility alone,” Campbell told CTV News. “It was federal funding that had come to the municipality [that ended], so we’re advocating to all levels of government.”
Campbell worries that fewer services, resources and indoor spaces will lead to more suffering on the streets of London.
“I don’t think there’s a person in London who doesn’t know that this is a catastrophe,” she said.
The beds inside The Ark’s Cronyn Warner Shelter are not affected by the funding shortfall, but its funding is scheduled to expire in one year.
Editorial standards & policies
Estair Van Wagner said the letter of the law was followed in Mark Plank’s high-profile eviction case, but not the “human rights element.”
Michael John Lo
Apr 2, 2026 4:30 AM
Listen to this article | 00:04:54 Duration
The near-eviction of a 63-year-old Victoria renter due to missed rent-increase payments brings home the impact of treating housing “as a commodity instead of a home,” says a University of Victoria associate law professor.
Estair Van Wagner said the letter of the law was followed in Mark Plank’s high-profile eviction case, but not the “human rights element.”
“The process of eviction, whether or not it actually results ultimately in the loss of someone’s home, is really traumatizing,” she said in an interview. “We should be building a system where we avoid that at all costs.”
Plank was set to be evicted on Tuesday from his Cook Street Village apartment after he lost a Residential Tenancy Branch hearing that he did not attend.
The self-described computer illiterate had been sent a rental-increase notice, then an initial 10-day eviction notice, via email to an account he does not access without the help of others. His property manager started the eviction process the first month he failed to pay the $24 increase, though his rent payment at the original $828 rate was accepted.
Following advocacy from groups like Together Against Poverty Society and the Victoria Tenants Union, he was able to reach a last-minute agreement to stay in his home.
Van Wagner said many people in situations like Plank’s don’t have the knowledge or confidence to use existing legal protections to help their case. “People will leave at the first instance of being told that they’re evicted without exercising their rights,” she said.
Plank didn’t report the fact that his studio unit had leaky taps and a broken fridge out of fear of jeopardizing his housing, even though a landlord is required by law to fix those issues once they are made aware of them.
“We aren’t providing enough legal education and resources and advocacy to make sure that folks not only know their rights, but feel that they can exercise them,” Van Wagner said.
While the media can highlight cases of so-called “nightmare tenants,” there are more rental units that aren’t being kept to provincial standards than problem tenants, she said.
Ultimately, preventing evictions, particularly for seniors, those with disabilities and others who are vulnerable in society, is the best way to prevent the homelessness crisis in Victoria and elsewhere from getting worse, Van Wagner said.
“The infrastructure around dealing with homelessness is extraordinarily expensive, and it’s expensive both on a very practical level of emergency shelters and services … but also on the long-term health and mental-health impacts it has on folks,” she said.
Van Wagner said better funding of legal services like those offered by TAPS is a good first step.
TAPS lawyer Leila Geggie Hurst said demand for legal help with evictions is extraordinarily high in Victoria, noting her organization’s walk-in capacity for tenancy issues filled up within four minutes on Tuesday morning.
“There used to be a time in the distant past when if a tenant got an eviction notice, they were able to pretty quickly find housing and move elsewhere,” she said.
But now, tenants are more desperate and more willing to fight to stay in their housing because there are fewer affordable options, Geggie Hurst said, adding that the loss of housing often causes a “catastrophic spiral” in someone’s life.
Kaeley Wiseman, a professor at Vancouver Island University’s master of community planning program, said people often assume there’s a safety net for people who are living in aging, cheaper buildings and are displaced for various reasons.
“They assume that people like Mark [Plank] will then get picked up by the non-profit sector,” said Wiseman, who is also principal of Wiser Projects, a non-profit housing development consultancy.
But finding subsidized, non-market housing is getting more difficult “because this provincial budget has axed that safety net,” Wiseman.
Premier David Eby’s government retroactively clawed back hundreds of millions of dollars in the province’s Community Housing Fund in its latest budget, effectively stalling many affordable-housing projects across B.C., including on Vancouver Island, Wiseman said.
The funding crisis in the non-profit construction sector is likely to last for the next decade, and that’s not good when it takes eight to 10 years to build a publicly funded housing project in Canada, she said.
“You can imagine the competition for the units that we have built in the last 15 years … is going to be fierce.”
Wiseman said 15 per cent of housing available in Canada should be non-market, but the actual amount is only around three to four per cent.
“So by cutting all this stuff, Eby has undermined our entire province,” she said.
Life is a collection of chapters, and some of them are undeniably painful to read. There is a popular sentiment that offers profound hope: “Don’t give up because of one bad chapter in your life. Keep going. Your story doesn’t end here.” This wisdom acknowledges that struggle is a part of the narrative, but it insists that it is not the final page. It is a call for resilience, a reminder that identity isn’t fixed by moments of failure or despair.
However, if we apply this metaphor to the crisis of homelessness and addiction on our streets, we must ask ourselves: Are we helping people turn the page, or are we simply buying them a new bookmark while they remain stuck in the same chapter?
The current approach to homelessness is often too passive, too willing to enable stagnation. It can be patronizing to assume that someone in the throes of addiction or living on the streets doesn’t need a hard response. By removing all expectations—by offering housing without requiring sobriety or a commitment to rehabilitation—we risk telling people that they aren’t capable of more . We accept their bad chapter as the whole book.
We need a shift from a handout to a hand up. This means coupling compassion with accountability. It means recognizing that allowing someone to continue using drugs without intervention is not kindness; it is a slow form of surrender . A truly compassionate response says, “Your story doesn’t end in addiction, and it doesn’t end on this street corner.”
Programs that are beginning to see success are those that provide shelter and support, but also demand recovery and work . They enforce rules, ban public camping, and use the leverage of the law to nudge individuals toward treatment. This isn’t about punishment; it’s about instilling the self-worth that comes from meeting expectations .
If we want to help people write a better chapter, we must stop editing around the margins of their misery. We must provide the structure and the hard line in the sand that says giving up is not an option. Because their story—and ours as a community—doesn’t have to end there.
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Housing First is an established concept in Finland since more than 15 years thanks to the Y-Foundation as a pioneer. The Y-Foundation was also one of the founding members of the Housing First Europe Hub.
In 2016 the Finish Y-Foundation together with FEANTSA established the Housing First Europe Hub. The Y-Foundation has been a key player in establishing Housing First as the main response to homelessness in Finland. Since 2007 national policies shifted towards reducing long-term homelessness through Housing First programmes.
As a result, in Finland, the utilisation of emergency and temporary accommodations, such as shelters, hostels, and temporary supported housing, has significantly declined. The number of homeless individuals residing in hostels or boarding houses decreased by 76% from 2008 to 2017. This reduction is attributed to the widespread adoption of prevention strategies, the replacement of outdated models of communal supported housing with Housing First and housing-led approaches, which largely replaced emergency shelters.
ARA, the Housing Finance and Development Centre, has also been involved in the implementation of Housing First in Finland since the start through subsidising new and renovated homes as well as giving housing advice to municipalities.
As a result, Finland is one of the only European countries that registers decreasing homelessness numbers. The country’s goal is to end homelessness in Finland all together.
Finland has managed to reduce homelessness in recent years, but homelessness as a phenomenon is still alive and well. The homelessness situation often escalates in the context of social and economic crises.
Originally Published on https://housingfirsteurope.eu/country/finland/
Poor people in Canada pay for funerals through provincial social assistance programs (like BC’s Ministry of Social Development or Ontario Works), the federal Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit.
Many today are choosing simpler, lower-cost options like direct cremation, with funeral homes often guiding families through these limited financial resources. Government aid covers basic services, but often falls short of average funeral costs, requiring families to supplement or choose minimal arrangements.
Work with Funeral Homes: Funeral directors are familiar with these programs and guide families to choose services within the available budget.
Ministry Pays the Funeral Home: If approved, the ministry pays the funeral home directly for approved services, which may cover cremation or burial and other basic costs.
Peace to All and Best Wishes to All in the New Year of Life and it’s passing encounters.
theurbansurvivor.org
The Homeless Prevention Program provides portable rent supplements and support services to individuals in identified at-risk groups facing homelessness.
The Homeless Prevention Program is an initiative aimed at providing individuals in identified at-risk groups facing homelessness with portable rent supplements and support services to help them access rental housing in the private (non-subsidized) housing market.
The rent supplements and support services help recipients access rental housing in the private (non-subsidized) housing market and community-based services.
The Homeless Prevention Program operates, in many instances, as an enhancement to the existing Homeless Outreach Program / Indigenous Homeless Outreach Programs and targets individuals at transition points that put them at greater risk of homelessness.
Cost: None. Services are free.
To be eligible, you (or someone you know) are at immediate risk of homelessness. This includes:
If you are eligible and approved, the rent supplement can assist with:
You cannot use the rent supplement for:
Please contact an outreach worker for full details. An outreach worker will be able to determine what you are eligible for.
Contact a Homeless Prevention Program Service Provider or go to the nearest Emergency Shelter and ask to speak to staff.
Outreach staff will ask a few questions about your situation and income to determine your eligibility.
Note: Rental supplements are intended to be temporary.
Originally published on the British Columbia Housing Program website.
Capitalism’s Dual Role
Poverty in the developed world exists as a paradox: affluent nations with vast resources still grapple with systemic inequality, homelessness, and food insecurity.
This reality underscores how poverty is not merely an economic issue but a political one, shaped by policy choices, power dynamics, and the structural forces of capitalism.
While capitalism has driven unprecedented wealth creation, its association with poverty reveals a complex interplay of exploitation, inequality, and insufficient social safeguards.
1. The Structural Roots of Poverty in Capitalist Systems
Capitalism’s core mechanism—profit-driven markets—has historically generated prosperity but also entrenched inequality.
In developed nations, poverty persists despite economic growth because wealth concentrates at the top. For instance, the top 10% of earners in the U.S. control 70% of wealth, while the bottom 50% own just 2.6%.
This disparity stems from policies favoring capital over labor, such as tax cuts for corporations and weakened union protections. The decline of unions, from 34% of U.S. workers in the 1950s to 10% today, correlates with stagnating wages and rising precarious work.
Capitalism’s “creative destruction” also perpetuates poverty. Technological advancements and globalization displace workers, while austerity measures—often justified under neoliberal ideologies—slash social safety nets.
For example, post-2008 austerity in Europe increased poverty rates, particularly in Greece and Spain, where public spending on healthcare and education was curtailed.
2. Political Choices: Reinforcing or Alleviating Poverty?
Poverty in developed nations is not inevitable but a product of political decisions.
Governments shape economic systems through taxation, labor laws, and welfare programs. The U.S., despite its wealth, has a higher poverty rate (11.6%) than peer nations like France (8.1%), partly due to weaker social transfers.
Countries with robust welfare systems, such as Nordic nations, demonstrate that poverty can be mitigated through progressive taxation and universal healthcare.
However, corporate influence often skews policy.
Lobbying by wealthy elites undermines reforms like minimum wage increases or affordable housing initiatives. For example, the 2017 U.S. tax reform disproportionately benefited high earners, exacerbating income gaps.
Similarly, privatization of public services—a hallmark of neoliberal capitalism—shifts costs to individuals, deepening poverty among low-income households.
3. Globalization and Its Discontents
Globalization, while boosting aggregate growth, has unevenly distributed benefits. In developed nations, offshoring jobs to low-wage countries decimated manufacturing sectors, leaving communities in “rust belts” like the U.S. Midwest or northern England.
These regions now face entrenched poverty, with limited access to high-skilled employment. Meanwhile, corporate profits soar: Apple’s $394 billion revenue in 2023 starkly contrasts with the 44 million Americans living below the poverty line.
Political globalization—trade agreements and deregulation—often prioritizes corporate interests over workers’ rights. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), for instance, displaced U.S. factory workers while enriching multinational firms.
4. Capitalism’s Contradictions: Growth vs. Equity
Proponents argue capitalism reduces poverty through innovation and growth. Indeed, extreme poverty globally fell from 94% in 1820 to 9.6% in 2015, largely due to market expansion. Yet, in developed nations, relative poverty—measured against national standards—remains stubborn.
The U.S. federal poverty for a family of 4 is 19 times higher than the global threshold of $2.15 day, yet 37 million Americans still fall short.
Critics highlight that capitalism’s focus on profit often neglects human needs.
For example, pharmaceutical companies prioritize lucrative drugs over affordable medicines, leaving millions in debt or untreated 11. Similarly, speculative housing markets in cities like London and San Francisco price out low-income residents, fueling homelessness.
5. Pathways to Reform: Reimagining Capitalism
Addressing poverty in developed nations requires rebalancing capitalism with equity-driven policies:
• Wealth Redistribution: A 1% tax on billionaire wealth could fund global poverty eradication.
• Labor Empowerment: Reviving unions and mandating living wages can reduce income inequality.
• Social Safety Nets: Expanding programs like universal childcare and housing subsidies, as seen in Finland, lifts marginalized groups from poverty.
• Green Transitions: A Global Green New Deal could create jobs while combating climate-driven poverty.
Conclusion: A Political Imperative
Poverty in the developed world is neither accidental nor natural—it is a political outcome.
Capitalism’s role is dual edged: it generates wealth but distributes it inequitably. Tackling poverty demands dismantling systemic barriers through progressive taxation, corporate accountability, and robust social policies.
As philosopher Lisa Herzog notes, markets prioritize “moneyed desires over unmoneyed needs”. Redirecting this focus toward justice and equity is not just an economic necessity but a moral imperative.
The choice lies with policymakers: perpetuate a system where poverty coexists with opulence or forge a new paradigm where prosperity is shared. The latter path, though fraught, offers the only route to a just society.
Dental care remains a critical yet often overlooked component of overall health, with millions in Canada and the United States unable to afford basic services. For low-income individuals, the high cost of dental care exacerbates health inequities, perpetuates cycles of poverty, and strains public health systems. This article examines the systemic barriers to affordable oral health care in both countries, highlighting policy gaps, socioeconomic disparities, and the human toll of unmet dental needs.
The Canadian Context: Progress and Persistent Gaps
In Canada, approximately one-third of residents lack dental insurance, and one in four avoid dental visits due to cost, often leading to preventable complications like infections, cardiovascular issues, and diabetes-related problems. Recognizing this crisis, the federal government launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in 2023, targeting uninsured households earning under 90,000 its phased rollout has left gaps. For example, adults aged 18–64 must wait until 2025 to apply, prolonging financial strain for many.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The CDCP’s “payer of last resort” model does not fully address accessibility barriers, such as rural “dental deserts” or provider shortages in marginalized communities. Additionally, Canada’s reliance on employer-sponsored insurance—covering 76% of insured individuals—leaves low-income workers, gig economy employees, and Indigenous populations disproportionately uninsured.
The U.S. Crisis: A Landscape of Inequity
In the U.S., over 76.5 million Americans lack dental insurance, with disparities starkly divided along racial and economic lines 5. Black and Hispanic adults are 68% and 52% more likely, respectively, to have unmet dental needs compared to white Americans, while rural residents face severe provider shortages—Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota have the highest rates of “dental deserts”. Medicaid, the primary safety net, often limits adult coverage to emergency extractions, leaving preventive care inaccessible. Even insured individuals face high deductibles and annual caps, forcing many to delay treatment until crises arise.
The consequences are dire. Poor oral health contributes to lost productivity (4.15 million workdays missed annually) and unnecessary emergency room visits, costing the U.S. healthcare system $1.8 billion in 2017 alone. Vulnerable groups, including veterans and low-income families, endure higher rates of periodontal disease and tooth loss, further entrenching health inequities.
Structural Barriers and Systemic Failures
Both nations grapple with systemic issues that compound affordability challenges:
Toward Equitable Solutions
Addressing this crisis requires bold policy reforms. Canada’s CDCP, though imperfect, represents a step toward universal coverage, but advocates argue for a federally funded agency to standardize care and close gaps. In the U.S., expanding Medicaid dental benefits and incentivizing providers to work in underserved areas could mitigate disparities. Both nations must prioritize integrating oral health into primary care and addressing social determinants like poverty and education.
Conclusion
The unaffordability of dental care in North America is not merely a health issue but a moral failing. While Canada’s CDCP offers hope, its success hinges on addressing accessibility and inclusivity. In the U.S., systemic overhaul is urgently needed to ensure oral health is treated as a fundamental right. Until then, millions will continue to suffer needlessly, their pain a testament to the enduring divide between privilege and poverty.
