A new report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) reveals that more than 80,000 people in the province were homeless in 2024. Nearly half of them have been living in shelters or on the streets for over six months, or have experienced repeated homelessness over the past three years. The number of homeless individuals has increased by 25% compared to two years ago.
AMO calls for a shift in how Ontario handles homelessness, advocating for long-term housing solutions instead of temporary measures. The association suggests an $11 billion investment over 10 years to create more than 75,000 affordable housing units. Additionally, they recommend $2 billion over eight years to properly house those living in encampments.
Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the issue but emphasized the need for more job creation and housing. Ontario has committed to a $3 billion investment over three years for affordable housing and anti-homelessness programs, though AMO argues this is not enough.
With over 268,000 households on waiting lists for affordable homes and average wait times of five years, the crisis continues to grow, urging stronger government action to address Ontario’s homelessness problem.
Written by: C. Soares