New research reveals growing cost of homelessness in Ontario

Jan 9, 2025

A new research study highlights the worsening homelessness crisis in Ontario and warns that, without serious intervention, the situation could get worse over the next decade.

Released by the Association of Municipalities in Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) and Helpseeker Technologies, the study shows that more than 80,000 Ontarians experienced homelessness in 2024. This is a 25 per cent increase since 2022, and more than half of this total are chronically homeless, a critical indicator of the systemic issues contributing to the problem.

Other key findings of the study show that:

• Nearly one quarter of the chronically homeless Ontarians are children (0-15) or youth (16-24).
• In Northern Ontario, homelessness has risen by an estimated 204 per cent since 2016, more than four times faster than in southern Ontario over the same time period.
• Municipalities spent more than $2.1 billion on homelessness and housing programs in 2024.

The study cautions that without significant intervention, homelessness could double again in the next 10 years, leaving up to 300,000 people without stable housing, particularly during an economic downturn. To help target the root causes, address system capacity issues, and meet the housing and support needs of Ontarians, the study recommends an $11-billion investment over the next decade.

CMHA Ontario supports the report’s recommendations and the need to prioritize long-term housing solutions over temporary emergency measures and enforcement-based responses.

Read the full report on the AMO website: https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/health-emergency-and-social-services/reports-ontarios-homelessness-crisis-water-and