Facts about Homelessness in Toronto

There are over 12,000+ people in Toronto who are homeless on any given night. There are many reasons why people become homeless – loss of employment, family break-up, family violence, mental illness, poor physical health, substance use, physical, sexual or emotional abuse just to name a few.

Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.

It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, unhealthy, unsafe, stressful and distressing.

The key driver of homelessness in Toronto is the economy and the housing market. Rental costs have increased dramatically over the past 15 years and a lack of affordable housing has increased to record high numbers. Majority of shelter users receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support, however, social assistance rates don’t respond to local economic factors that contribute to the growing affordability gap. Affordability is the most significant challenge in helping move people out of shelters.

No one is safe from experiencing homelessness. It can happen to someone you know.

That’s why Fred Victor has been here for over 130 years, and why the work is more urgent now than ever. Join us in making change.

12,000+

of homeless people are sleeping outdoors, shelters and in emergency respite centres, and in health and correctional facilities every night

98%

Toronto's shelter system operates at or near full capacity every night — the City's live dashboard consistently shows 95–100% occupancy across all sectors

105,115

households are on the subsidized housing waitlist

9 - 14

years average waitlist for one-bedroom affordable housing

25%

Toronto households experience food insecurity

64%

experiencing homelessness struggle with mental illness

46%

of the homeless population are aged 25–49

77%

of homeless people have been homeless for more than six months

2,000+

youth are homeless on any given night in Toronto

32%

of people experiencing homelessness first became homeless before the age of 16

5

average deaths per week of people experiencing homelessness

50 & 36

the median age of death for men and women experiencing homelessness in Toronto — decades shorter than the city average

† Statistics courtesy of City of Toronto, Homeless Hub, Wellesley Institute

†† Definition of Homelessness