Toronto’s homeless population has more than doubled since 2021, reaching 15,400. City survey calls it a crisis, urging urgent multi-government action.
Homelessness in Toronto Reaches Crisis Point
Toronto’s unhoused population has surged to an estimated 15,400 as of October 2024—more than double the count from 2021—according to the city’s latest Street Needs Assessment. The report, released Monday, labels the situation a “crisis” and emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated action from municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
Data Reveals Steep Increase Over Three Years
The city’s point-in-time homelessness count in April 2021 identified approximately 7,300 people without stable housing. In contrast, the October 2024 survey recorded a dramatic rise to 15,400 individuals. The data shows that homelessness in Toronto is not just increasing—it is accelerating, driven by systemic failures in affordable housing, health care access, income support, and social services.
Who is Affected Most
The survey highlights the disproportionate impact of homelessness on racialized communities. Indigenous people—who make up only 3% of Toronto’s population—represent 9% of the homeless and 31% of those living outdoors. Black residents, comprising 10% of the population, account for 58% of those without housing. There’s also a rise in 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly among refugee claimants and youth.
Causes Rooted in Affordability and Support Gaps
Gord Tanner, General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, attributes the rise to systemic breakdowns in housing, health care, immigration, and child welfare. “At its core, this is an affordability issue,” Tanner stated, emphasizing that people need more income and support services to secure and sustain housing. He urged long-term, upstream investments to prevent homelessness before it begins.
City’s Response and Current Trends
While the report’s numbers reflect the situation as of October 2024, the city says there’s been a modest decline since, crediting increased housing placements and fewer refugee claimants in shelters. According to officials, 4,300 people were housed last year, over 25,000 outreach visits were conducted, and 1,078 individuals living outside were referred into shelters. The city is also hiring up to 45 new outreach workers in 2025 to bolster support.
Advocates Say Report Must Spark Immediate Action
Homelessness advocates have described the report as “devastating” and “unsurprising.” Cathy Crowe, a street nurse and longtime advocate, called the findings a wake-up call. “These are not numbers. These are people—families, youth, and seniors—being failed by the system,” she said. Outreach worker Greg Cook emphasized that only large-scale investment in subsidized housing can reverse the trend. “The government knows how to do this,” he said, calling for the construction of tens of thousands of affordable units annually.
Political Attention Expected as City Debates Solutions
Toronto City Council’s Economic and Community Development Committee is scheduled to review the report and discuss future shelter and housing strategies on Wednesday. The city has formally reached out to both Ontario and the federal government, stressing that the scope of the crisis cannot be solved by municipal resources alone.
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