A new report by Toronto-based human rights organization Maytree has revealed a troubling rise in homelessness across Ontario, linking the surge directly to stagnant social assistance rates that no longer reflect the real cost of living.
According to the report, more than 30,000 people receiving Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are currently experiencing homelessness — a 72 per cent increase since 2019. Despite modest increases to ODSP, Ontario Works rates have remained frozen, leaving recipients unable to afford even the most basic housing options.
In 2024, a single adult on Ontario Works receives a maximum of $733 per month, while the average cost of renting a single room now exceeds that amount in many Ontario communities. As a result, thousands are being pushed into homelessness despite being part of programs intended to act as a safety net.
Advocacy groups warn that the situation has become especially dangerous amid extreme winter conditions, as warming centres and shelters struggle to meet demand. Community organizations are calling on all levels of government to urgently reassess income assistance rates, expand emergency shelter capacity, and adopt innovative solutions to prevent avoidable deaths during cold weather.
The report concludes that without immediate policy reform, homelessness in Ontario will continue to rise — not due to personal failure, but systemic inadequacy.