A new report finds thousands of Ontarians leave jail with no fixed address yearly. Experts urge the province to invest in transitional housing and support.
Alarming Link Between Jail and Homelessness in Ontario
Thousands of Ontarians are being discharged from provincial jails each year directly into homelessness, according to a new report released Thursday by the John Howard Society of Ontario. The findings paint a grim picture of life after incarceration and call on the provincial government to act urgently.
Findings Show Scale of the Crisis
The report, From Incarceration to Encampment, reveals that between 2023 and 2024, there were 7,455 recorded jail releases involving individuals with no fixed address. These figures don’t necessarily represent unique individuals—many are re-incarcerated multiple times annually, caught in a cycle of poverty, crime, and displacement.
Calls for Systemic Housing Solutions
The John Howard Society is urging the Ontario government to establish a provincial transitional housing system, similar to federal halfway houses, to support inmates exiting correctional facilities. Without housing, individuals often end up in encampments or shelters, where it becomes harder to find employment or access services.
Firsthand Struggles Highlight Policy Failures
Dan, a recently released inmate from Toronto South Detention Centre, shared his experience of being left to fend for himself after serving 60 days for theft. With no housing plan in place, he ended up sleeping outside. “There’s no plan,” Dan said. “As soon as I caught a charge, every good thing going for me dried up.”
Experts Warn of Long-Term Social Costs
Safiyah Husein, Director of Policy at the John Howard Society, stressed the urgency of creating a reintegration pathway. “Housing is crucial to reintegration. Without it, the risk of reoffending increases significantly,” she said. The report also notes that many jailed individuals lose their homes, income, or social benefits during incarceration.
Broader Impacts on Public Safety and Spending
Elizabeth McIsaac, president of the anti-poverty foundation Maytree, which sponsored the report, warned that releasing people into homelessness is both unethical and economically unsound. “It’s going to cost a lot less to support people than to keep cycling them through jail,” she said.
Ontario Government Says Review Underway
In response, Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General stated it is reviewing the report. The ministry cited a $75.5 million investment into homelessness services, the addition of over 2,000 new housing units and shelter spaces, and new recovery treatment hubs with supportive housing components.
Key Recommendations for Reform
The report outlines several proposed actions:
- Develop transitional housing programs for former inmates.
- Adjust social assistance policies to maintain benefits during short-term incarceration.
- Launch an anti-discrimination campaign aimed at landlords.
Urgent Need for Coordinated Response
Keith Hambly, CEO of Toronto-based agency Fred Victor, emphasized the need for trauma-informed and individualized housing supports. “Without the right support, the story just repeats itself,” he said.
The report closes with a warning: if no meaningful reform is undertaken, thousands more will continue to be discharged into homelessness, undermining public safety, social equity, and Ontario’s broader housing goals.
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