A Complex Exile: Homelessness and Social Exclusion in Canada

by Erin Dej

Over 235,000 people couch surf, stay in emergency shelters, and live on the street in Canada every year, but lack of secure housing is but one barrier faced by people who are homeless. A Complex Exile demonstrates how the very policies, practices, and funding models that exist to house the homeless, promote social inclusion, and provide mental health care form a homelessness industrial complex. These practices emphasize personal responsibility and individualized responses that ultimately serve to subtly exclude people on the street, which has profoundly negative effects on people experiencing homelessness. Erin Dej explores how a shift from managing to preventing and ending homelessness has taken shape over the past two decades. However, this movement has resulted in an increased focus on individualized responses to homelessness; individuals are charged with “fixing” themselves in order to secure housing and re-enter mainstream society. This book demonstrates that the causes of, and responses to, homelessness have become largely medicalized, limiting discussion on structural and systemic drivers such as income inequality, discrimination, and rising housing costs. A Complex Exile  goes beyond bio-medical and psychological perspectives on homelessness, mental illness, and addiction to call for a socially transformed response to homelessness in Canada.

Genres: Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

Published December 11, 2020

Reviews

[J. Tayler Smith]

This book is a current overview of the homelessness issue in Canada, how what is currently being done approaches the problem from the wrong angle, and what can be done differently.

This is one of those few books that changed my perspective on things (in a good way). It is eye-opening, and Is worth a read. However, my one criticism is perhaps how critical the author is of our current systems (but one may argue how that is the point, and that it’s good that it bothers me).

Despite being focused on Canada, the principles and general issues outlined here are applicable across North America and possible in other Western nations. However, the book is somewhat written at a more technical level. It’s not too bad, but it may be challenge if your not used to reading research papers.

[Amanie Johal]

I liked the inclusion of quotes from the interviewees who use homeless shelters and their services. The inclusion showed that the homeless population is not a monolith as participants disagreed or had different mindsets towards their situations.

If I were to rate the tone of this book on a scale of 1 (casual) to 10 (academic), I'd give it a 7 or 8. The quotes and discussion around the quotes was easy enough, but the remaining discussion was difficult for me to follow at times.

[Jessica Baird]

I read this while doing research for my M.A in Critical Sociology and found it really insightful and interesting. The concept of a homeless industrial complex and how we are simply managing homelessness instead of ending it has helped me understand how we have continued to fuel the issue and come up with short term solutions opposed to a long term end to all homelessness.

[Sonja]

This was tough to read, because of the realities of the message. It took me a long time because of the academic style, which I'm not used to. That said, it's a very important topic and I'm very glad I read it.

[Chalcea Malec]

An academic read, but well- worth the mental plowing through to its clear conclusions. Powerful, well-supported arguments to look to the bigger, systemic picture for the causes and solutions to this heartbreaking issue. Mind and perspective-changing. Great work and thank you Ms Dej.

[Diana]

This is an insightful and very well-written book. The writing style is very academic, which may not be accessible to all audiences.

[Cindy]

This was a tough read both in content and methodology. It did portray the complex and multifacited nature of homelessness and it's interwoven nature with mental illness and addiction.

[Jordyn]

Read this for my Masters research, probably the most useful literature on social exclusion I found.