Halton Region is urging the Ontario and Federal governments to take immediate and coordinated action to address the growing homelessness crisis.
A motion unanimously endorsed by councillors backs the Solve the Crisis campaign by the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) and advocates for systemic changes and sustainable funding to tackle the interrelated challenges of homelessness, mental health and addiction.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, who introduced the motion, stressed the urgency of provincial and federal intervention — stating that municipalities have exhausted their resources and can’t tackle the crisis alone.
“We have actually dug really deep into our very own pockets,” Meed Ward said, referencing how municipalities are using tax dollars not designed for this purpose. “We are not going to allow people to live and die in our streets when we can do something about it.”
Milton councillor Colin Best, as the seconder, echoed those concerns.
“We need a comprehensive program, not just telling people they can't be in encampments. They need to have some place to go, someplace they have the wraparound services they need,” said Best, adding: “We have to find a better way to do it. We need everybody at the table.”
The motion notes that the homelessness, mental health and addiction challenges continue to grow. In 2023, there were 3,423 drug related deaths and more than 1,400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities.
The situation is dire in Halton, with the region’s emergency shelter system operating at 140 per cent capacity as demand for assisted and supportive housing far outstrips available supply.
Although the province recently provided additional funding and support, including $378 million for Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs and about 375 beds with wraparound supports, the motion argues the measures fall short of addressing the depth of the crisis.
The motion outlines specific key actions, including:
- Declaring homelessness a provincial health priority.
- Assigning a dedicated provincial ministry with adequate funding and authority to address housing needs and supports
- Creating a provincial task force with representatives from municipalities, healthcare, first responders, community services and other sectors to develop an Ontario-specific action plan.
- Engaging the federal government in discussions and ensuring sustainable funding for municipalities to deliver necessary services.
The motion also sparked discussion about winter preparedness.
Alex Sarchuk, commissioner of social and community services, assured councillors of the region’s ability to provide emergency shelter beds, but noted the need for a more permanent housing solution.
“We know that there need to be significant investments in deeply affordable and supportive housing,” Sarchuk said, adding that the upcoming budget considerations will include funding for Halton’s 10-year comprehensive housing strategy to expand affordable and supportive housing.
Halton joins over 270 municipalities urging immediate action from higher levels of government. Meed Ward summed up the urgency: “Winter is coming, and this (crisis) is going to get more acute and worse.”