Abstract
Over the past three decades, homelessness has become an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland. These three geographical contexts show both similarities and contrasts, but no effort has yet been made to review the research literature on homelessness from these three regions or to highlight key themes or gaps in current knowledge. We reviewed the literature in order to 1) understand the current state of knowledge of the dynamics of homelessness in Alaska, the Canadian North (here including Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and Greenland and 2) conceptualize a northern geography of homelessness. The research literature identifies common themes across these contexts, which include chronic housing insecurity, overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples among those living homeless, and the significance of gendered experiences of homelessness. It identifies key interconnections between hidden homelessness and visible homelessness as the dynamics of urbanization in northern towns and cities reveal the social consequences of chronic housing insecurity in settlements. Across these northern regions, the high rates of chronic homelessness reflect the prevalence of northern housing insecurity and the lack of both adequate, appropriate support for people experiencing mental health or addiction problems and supportive or public housing options. Strategies that aim to diversify housing stock at various critical points along the housing spectrum are needed in northern regions, an idea that is promoted by Housing First and transitional housing programs in Alaska and the Canadian North.
Highlights
Over the past three decades, homelessness has emerged as an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland, three geographical contexts that share many similarities, but provide interesting contrasts
With interest increasing in both the dynamics of rural-to-urban migration and urbanization in the Arctic, it is critical that scholars and policymakers begin to understand the diverse processes and forms of social marginalization in northern communities
Underlying these challenges is the landscape of chronic housing insecurity across Alaska, the Canadian North, and Greenland since the introduction of modern housing programs
Summary
Over the past three decades, homelessness has emerged as an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland, three geographical contexts that share many similarities, but provide interesting contrasts. The specific social, health, economic, political, and infrastructural challenges encountered in northern areas compound the dynamics and consequences of such disparity and marginalization Underlying these challenges is the landscape of chronic housing insecurity across Alaska, the Canadian North, and Greenland since the introduction of modern housing programs. This review aims to outline the current state of the knowledge of the dynamics of homelessness in Alaska, the Canadian North (here including Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and Greenland and to conceptualize a northern geography of homelessness. These three particular geographical contexts were identified because homelessness has emerged as an issue of social concern in northern regions in recent decades. We compare the scope and depth of the literature developed within these three geographical contexts, identify and elaborate upon the key themes that have emerged from the findings, highlight critical gaps in the literature, and suggest several important areas for further investigation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
