In Canada, someone without a stable home is considered homeless. This includes people without permanent housing or prospects of getting housing. Homelessness is becoming a big problem in Canada. There are between 150,000 and 300,000 homeless people, and this number is growing. There are numerous reasons why people become homeless in Canada, including job loss, family break-ups, domestic violence, mental illness, poor physical health, substance abuse, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. A major factor is also the lack of affordable housing.

Tragically, the number of homeless individuals has risen in recent years, plunging many Canadian communities into a homelessness crisis. This issue is particularly severe in Toronto, the country’s largest and most populous city.

Why are people homeless in Canada? What are the costs and what is being done? This article answers these questions.

Homelessness Statistics in Canada

• 25,000 to 35,000 people are homeless every night.
• Toronto has the most homeless people.
• 62% of homeless people are men.
• 30% of homeless people are from Indigenous communities.
• 90% of homeless shelters are in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. 44% are in Ontario.
• 22% of shelters are for young people, and 20% of homeless people are aged 13-24.
• Homelessness costs society over $7 billion every year.
• The Canadian government is spending $2.2 billion over ten years to help the homeless.

Homelessness Facts in Canada

A report from 2016 said there were at least 235,000 homeless people. The Homeless Hub says there are 150,000 to 300,000 homeless people each year. There could be more because many are hidden homeless, living with friends or in squats. About 1.3 million Canadians have had insecure housing or been homeless.

Cost of Homelessness

Homelessness costs Canada about $7.05 billion each year. This includes shelters, healthcare, criminal justice, and emergency services.

City With The Most Homeless People

Toronto has the most homeless people, around 10,000. In 2020, a count in Greater Victoria found at least 1,523 homeless people. Homelessness in British Columbia is linked to expensive housing.

Who are the Homeless in Canada?

• Most homeless people using shelters are aged 25 to 49.
• Less than 4% of homeless people are 65 years or older.
• 62% of shelter users are male.
• Women are at higher risk of being hidden homeless, often due to domestic violence.
• More children are living in shelters, about 3,000 in 2020.
• 20% of homeless people are aged 13-24.
• Indigenous people are at a higher risk of homelessness, making up over 30% of the homeless population.
• 2.2% of shelter users are veterans.

Homeless Crisis Among Women

The number of women facing poverty and homelessness is skyrocketing. Women now make up 27% of shelter users. Alarmingly, 16% of senior women live in poverty. Across Canada, over 1.9 million women are living on a low income, teetering on the brink of homelessness.

1 in 4 Are Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples are over-represented among the homeless. They make up just 5% of Canada’s population but are 8 times more likely to be homeless. This is especially true in cities like Toronto and Metro Vancouver.

Historical trauma, discrimination, and racism limit their opportunities. Extreme poverty and a lack of good housing and support also increase their risk of homelessness.

Children and Youth

Child and youth homelessness is rising fast. Shockingly, 1 in every 7 people in homeless shelters is a child. About 20% of homeless individuals are between 13 and 25 years old.

Being homeless is especially hard for young people. It affects their education and healthcare, leading to high dropout rates, involvement in crime, and becoming victims of human trafficking. Homelessness can impact their mental and physical health for life.

Rising Homelessness Among Veterans

More and more veterans are becoming homeless each year, especially in Ontario and British Columbia. Veterans face tough challenges transitioning back to civilian life after serving in the military.

They often suffer from mental health problems like anxiety, PTSD, or addiction. Without enough support programs, many veterans find themselves on the streets.

Homelessness and Mental Health

30-35% of homeless people have a mental illness. 20-25% have both a mental illness and an addiction.

Are Homeless People Employed?

Some homeless people in Canada have jobs. In 2016, a survey in Vancouver showed 23% of the homeless were employed. Some make money through panhandling, binning, and sex work.

Emergency Shelters

In 2014, 92.4% of shelter beds were full. This was up from 82% in 2005.

Hidden Homeless

There may be around 50,000 hidden homeless people in Canada each night, staying with friends or family.

Types of Homelessness

• Chronic homelessness: long-term homeless, between 4,000 and 8,000 people.
• Episodic homelessness: people moving in and out of homes, between 6,000 and 22,000 people.
• Transitional homelessness: short-term homeless, between 176,000 and 188,000 people.

Reasons for Homelessness

Poverty is a major reason. Other reasons include abuse, substance abuse, lack of jobs, lack of affordable homes, family conflicts, and mental health issues.

Affordable Housing

Many Canadians spend over half their income on housing, risking homelessness. In 2016, 1,693,775 households spent over 30% of their income on housing.

What is Being Done?

Shelters

Canada has emergency shelters open 24/7. In 2019, there were 437 shelters. Most are in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Homelessness Strategy

In 2019, the government started a plan to reduce chronic homelessness by half by 2027-28. They are investing $2.2 billion over ten years. In 2020, they added $299.4 million to prevent COVID-19 spread among the homeless.

National Homelessness Initiative

Started in 1999 with $251 million per year. The budget decreased but has increased again since 2015-16.

Taking Action Together

Homelessness is a big issue in Canada, and it needs everyone’s help to solve it. We must support those trying to leave homelessness behind. This means offering safe housing, tackling mental health and addiction challenges, and connecting people with support services. Let’s work together for real solutions and brighter futures.