Ontario Homelessness Reaches Nearly 85,000 People, New Municipal Report Finds

Homelessness across Ontario continues to rise, with nearly 85,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2025, according to a new report from Ontario’s municipal associations. The data represents a 7.8 per cent increase from 2024 and highlights growing pressures on housing and social support systems across the province.

The report, compiled by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and partner organizations, estimates that more than half of those affected have been homeless for six months or longer. Approximately 20,000 children and youth are among those without stable housing.

Northern and rural communities are driving much of the recent growth. Homelessness increased by 37 per cent in Northern Ontario and 31 per cent in mostly rural regions over the past year. Since 2021, homelessness in the north has risen by more than 100 per cent, with Indigenous homelessness identified as a major contributing factor. The number of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness has climbed to 11,000, nearly doubling since 2021.

Encampments remain widespread, with close to 2,000 sites across Ontario. While large tent cities have become less common, smaller encampments are increasing, a shift attributed to enforcement-focused responses that disperse people rather than addressing root causes.

Housing shortages remain a key challenge. In 2025, Ontario’s community housing waitlist reached over 301,000 households, with an average wait time of more than five years. Despite increased government spending—estimated at $4 billion in 2025—the report concludes funding has not kept pace with demand.

Municipal leaders warn homelessness is expected to worsen through 2035 without significant long-term investment in affordable housing, income supports, and mental health services.

Source: CityNews Kitchener