Discover Narcity
Get the latest and greatest stories every day in your inbox.
Tackling homelessness will be a key challenge for incoming Ontario mayors, councils
Homelessness a key challenge for incoming mayors
The rise in homelessness is one of the most pressing issues mayors and councillors elected next week across Ontario will have to face as the struggle to fund housing, mental health and addiction services persists.
A seminal study from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario warned last year that the province was at a "tipping point" in the homelessness crisis.
It found nearly 80,000 Ontarians were homeless in 2024. That number rose to about 85,000 people in 2025 and the association expects it to rise again.
"Eighty-five thousand is breathtaking in the sense that it's shocking how big that number is in a province as wealthy as we are," said Riley Brockington, president of AMO, which represents the province's 444 municipalities.
More than half of those people have been homeless for more than six months, the association said.
The vast majority of Ontario's municipalities are struggling with the issue and it's eating up more and more of their annual budgets, Brockington said. Without the ability to run deficits, it puts municipalities in a bind.
Brockington, an Ottawa city councillor who was acclaimed in his ward ahead of Monday's election, said the province and the federal government need to step up with stable, long-term funding.
It's the only way to try to get a handle on homelessness, he said. "We're calling for a national housing strategy with some real money."
The AMO's ask is big: $11 billion over 10 years. That would cover supportive, transitional and community housing for 75,000 people, along with money for prevention programs.
The association is also asking for $2 billion over eight years to deal with the rise in encampments. There were nearly 2,000 encampments across Ontario last year, it said.Â
The encampments have been popping up all over the province, including in many smaller towns where there are no shelters.
"We believe every person in Ontario needs a safe place to call home every night, but it's very expensive," Brockington said. "This is why the burden cannot be on the shoulders exclusively of municipalities."
The frustrating part for municipalities, Brockington said, is the fact that every level of government agrees on the path forward: more housing, particularly supportive housing.
While municipalities are appreciative of every dollar from the federal and provincial governments, much of that comes in the form of time-limited funding, Brockington said.
"Municipalities need to be able to budget and have some assurances going forward that the money will still be there," he said. Otherwise, it will be the same scramble every year, he said, with little ability to plan long term.
A recent report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario said provincial spending on homelessness programs has fluctuated since 2020, before reaching a projected $948 million in 2026-27. But that figure is expected to decline to $708 million in 2028-29 because of time-limited funding, the report said.
Northern and rural Ontario are driving the growth of homelessness, which is increasing 37 per cent in northern Ontario and 31 per cent in mostly rural communities in one year, AMO found.
Another troubling statistic the association uncovered: about 20,000 youth are homeless across the province.Â
And on any given night in Toronto, more than 1,000 teens and children are in the city's shelters or on its streets.
For Mark Aston, the CEO of Covenant House Toronto, Canada's largest charity serving youth in crisis, prevention is key. Covenant House has a crisis shelter, offers transitional housing and wraparound support services including education and employment support.Â
"It is getting more difficult for young people to get out of that situation because of a whole bunch of things: affordability, the job market, and also acute crisis and disabling conditions that need co-ordinated specialized services to help young people," he said.
Covenant House has seen great prevention results by going into Toronto's schools, Aston said, adding that the program is very successful, with more than 90 per cent of at-risk young people avoiding homelessness.Â
"We have solutions, we just really need to get attention to this and do a bit of scaling," Aston said, arguing that the program should be in every single school in the province. Covenant House also has its own on-site school that helps youth complete their secondary education.
The reason is simple, Aston said. Between 30 to 50 per cent of adults experiencing chronic homelessness can trace their journeys back to their youth.
"That's when they first experienced homelessness," Aston said. "So if you don't solve the problem when somebody's young, it can become really entrenched, really pervasive."
For young people, the largest driver of homelessness is family pressure, conflict or breakdown, he said, while for adults the leading cause is eviction.
When a young person becomes homeless, early intervention is key. Aston said Covenant House gives them space to breathe, connects them with health-care workers, mental health professionals and tries to reconnect them with family -- but not necessarily the family that may have driven them away.
"If you can do that and you can maintain those connections and you can provide them with housing, with social supports, with community, it can really be life altering for those young people," he said. "You can change the trajectory of where they're going."
Aston has a message for all incoming mayors.
"I think the mayors across Ontario should make a commitment to end youth homelessness," he said.Â
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2026.
By Liam Casey | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
This $20 train from Toronto takes you to a riverside town with little cafes and quaint shops
It's a charming spot for a weekend escape.
You don't need a car to travel to a charming small town. This cute Ontario village is just a train ride away from Toronto, and it has "fall outing" written all over it.
With riverside views, a historic main street, quaint shops and little cafes, it's the perfect place to put on your coziest sweater, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and breathe in the crisp fall air.
Port Hope is a dreamy small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, just an hour from Toronto.
According to Northumberland Tourism, it's "one of Ontario’s cutest small towns" and is home to the "best-preserved heritage main street" in the province.
It's only about an hour's train ride away from Toronto with VIA Rail. It's ideal for a weekend escape or longer, with trains departing Toronto in the evenings and returning in the afternoon or evening.
The train station is just steps from downtown, so you don't have to go far to find stores, restaurants, and more.
You can stroll through the storybook downtown, popping into bookshops, sipping on seasonal lattes, and biting into baked goods.
Some local eateries worth checking out include The Pulse Cafe & Eatery, The Main, Cafe Lviv, Milly's Market, and Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery.
If you want a super cute cafe experience, make a stop at Toe Beans Cat Cafe, where you can visit with adorable cats while enjoying a drink.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail is a dreamy spot for a late-autumn stroll. The scenic trail winds along the Ganaraska River, boasting picturesque views and peaceful scenery.
If you're in the mood for something spooky this Halloween season, Port Hope is the place to be.
Despite its charm, it has served as the backdrop for several horror films and a mystery series, making Halloween the ideal time to explore this destination.
One of the most famous horror films shot in Port Hope is IT, which saw the town transform into Derry, Maine, the fictional home of the terrifying, shape-shifting clown.
If you're brave enough, you can follow the IT Walking Tour to explore filming locations from both IT and IT: Chapter Two.
The self-guided tour includes stops at Memorial Park, where the giant Paul Bunyan statue appeared, and a laneway off Walton Street beside the Quality Meats shop featured in the films.
Other horror and mystery productions filmed in Port Hope include Orphan, Murdoch Mysteries and Our House.
Port Hope has no shortage of fall activities, from a Pumpkin Parade to trick-or-treating and more. You can check out the website for a full list of things to do.
If you're planning a longer visit, there are several boutique hotels and B&Bs where you can stay, such as the Hotel Carlyle & Restaurant and the Plantation House Bed & Breakfast.
With its charming shops and historic main street, Port Hope is a beautiful small-town escape near the city.
From Your Site Articles
Keep reading
Show less
This Ontario spot is like a mini Edinburgh with limestone shops and cobblestone streets
No passport required!
Cue the bagpipes! You don't need to get on a plane to discover a little bit of Scottish charm.
This Ontario destination is known for its historic streets, limestone buildings, and European vibes, making it feel like a mini trip to Edinburgh without leaving the province.
Located just a few hours from Toronto, it's a beautiful spot for a little getaway, no passport required.
Kingston is an old-world city perched along the shores of Lake Ontario. Known as the "Limestone City," this Ontario destination has no shortage of beauty to discover.
It's brimming with historic streets, cobblestone alleys, local shops, cozy cafes, and pubs, and feels like a little slice of Britain right here in Ontario.
Some visitors have even compared it to places like Edinburgh, and Narcity readers have described the city as a way to taste Europe without leaving Ontario.
Kingston dates back to the 1600s, when European settlers first arrived in the area. According to the City of Kingston, it became Canada's first capital in 1841, and its past remains visible in the architecture and landmarks scattered throughout the downtown core.
There's lots to enjoy year-round, whether you're visiting during the hot summer months or the snowy winter season.
The downtown area is one of the best spots to explore, with historic shops and cozy cafes lining the streets.
You can also enjoy a meal at one of Kingston's numerous restaurants, or embrace the British charm and head to a pub like The Merchant Tap House, The Iron Duke on Wellington, or the Kingston Brewing Company.
Kingston's City Hall is a beautiful spot to soak up more historic architecture and lakefront views. You can stroll along the waterfront, admiring the old-world buildings and shimmering waves.
The city is home to a number of attractions, from local theatres and art galleries to historic sites and more.
You can tour the historic Kingston Penitentiary, get a taste of 19th-century military life at Fort Henry, or drift around the 1000 Islands on a cruise, depending on when you visit.
If you're visiting in late October, it's a great time to explore Kingston's spookier side. The city's historic buildings and winding streets are the perfect backdrop for ghost tours, where you can hear tales of local hauntings and mysteries.
As the Christmas season approaches, Kingston transforms into a postcard-worthy destination, with twinkling lights, horse-drawn wagons, and glowing shop windows.
There are Christmas markets, parades, and more to enjoy throughout the season.
Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend away, Kingston is a dreamy spot to soak up some European charm without travelling overseas.
While you won't find Edinburgh Castle or the Scottish Highlands here, the city's centuries-old buildings, picturesque streets, historic pubs, and limestone architecture offer a little taste of life abroad right here in Ontario.
From Your Site Articles
Keep reading
Show less