Research in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa over a two-year period suggests that for every person sleeping on the street, there are 23 more who are at risk of becoming homeless — living in unaffordable, crowded and unsafe conditions.

That's approximately 400,000 people across Canada — a “hidden emergency” that is being ignored, researchers say.

The Research Alliance for Canadian Homelessness, Housing and Health says that while these so-called “vulnerably housed” people may have roofs over their heads, they are plagued with the same devastating health problems as the homeless.

Half of them have a history of mental illness, and almost two-thirds have had a traumatic brain injury at some point.

Many of them are dealing with harsh physical-health issues too, such as arthritis, Hepatitis B, asthma and high blood pressure.

A third of them say they're having trouble finding enough to eat.

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Via: Ted at Halton