The latest homeless count has revealed a 10 per cent rise in people experiencing homelessness across Halton since 2021, with 319 individuals identified as living in shelters, transitional housing or other temporary accommodations.
The point-in-time count, as part of a month-long survey conducted in late 2024, is a method used to measure homelessness on a single night.
It found 343 people without stable housing — including 137 in transitional housing, 121 in shelters, 24 couch surfing and 61 unsheltered. The percentage of unsheltered individuals surged from 2 per cent in 2021 to 18 per cent in 2024.
Key barriers to housing were highlighted in the survey: 84 per cent of respondents cited low income and 77 per cent pointed to high rents. Additionally, 35 per cent of respondents (84 individuals) reported losing housing due to eviction.
Mental health challenges were reported by 76 per cent of those experiencing homelessness, while 47 per cent identified struggles with substance use.
To tackle these growing challenges, Halton Region is moving forward with its 2025-26 homelessness prevention program, backed by $14.3 million in provincial funding. The staff report states that this allocation has remained unchanged for the past three years.
The breakdown includes:
- Emergency shelter program: $3.1 million
- Supportive housing: $3.4 million
- Community outreach and supports: $1.6 million
- Housing assistance: $5.5 million
With 2,440 shelter calls recorded in 2024, facilities such as the Wesley Urban Ministries-operated supportive housing site in Burlington and the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter in Oakville continue to provide critical services, according to the report.
Federal funding boost
Halton also secured more federal funding for the Reaching Home program, reversing previous cuts. The program allocation is set at $5.06 million for 2025-26. This funding will focus on mitigating encampments, preventing homelessness and operating supportive housing programs.
Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal raised concerns about the growing housing crisis at Wednesday’s regional council meeting.
“We’ve got 80,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness,” Fogal said, referencing a recent study commissioned by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
“If we're on this trajectory, we're going to triple the number by 2035. When do we stop doing what we're doing wrong and start doing what's right? This is a tragedy right now. It's tragic for the people that are homeless or or are at the edge of homelessness.”
While acknowledging the provincial and federal funding, she likened them to “a band aid.”
Milton Councillor Colin Best, former president of AMO, called for collective action.
“Everyone has to be involved,” Best said. “We can hopefully find a solution to these issues.”