A new study by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) reveals that homelessness is surging across Ontario.  

“This devastating report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario shows homelessness is exploding in Ontario,” said Tim Richter, President and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. “81,515 people experienced homelessness in 2024, the same as the entire population of Peterborough. That’s a 25% increase in two years.” 

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of homelessness across the province. It highlights critical challenges municipalities face in responding to the crisis, including escalating housing costs and insufficient social supports. 

“To put this into context, Ontario has only ever seen this scale of housing loss once before when 100,000 people were forced from their homes in the 1998 ice storm,” added Richter. “This scale of disaster demands an urgent response from the Government of Ontario.” 

The report calls on the Ontario Government to take immediate and decisive action. Recommendations include significant investment in affordable housing, enhanced mental health and addiction services, and better support for Indigenous-led housing initiatives. AMO’s findings aim to inspire cross-sectoral collaboration and policy changes to end homelessness in Ontario.  

The full report is available here.