High market rental costs and the growing mental health and addictions crisis are significantly increasing the demand for homelessness services and supports, including emergency shelter. Municipal governments, including Halton, are often the first point of contact for people facing struggles with mental health and addictions, many of whom require intensive supports, and experience challenges with securing and maintaining stable housing.
The demand for homelessness supports and service across Halton continues to exceed available supply. The Region’s emergency shelter system is currently operating at 140% capacity, and there is a significant demand for assisted housing for individuals and families unable to afford market rent. All 5,404 existing assisted housing units in the Region are fully occupied, and 8,048 households are on the wait list. At the current rate, only 9% of Halton’s existing waitlist will be housed each year.
This data points to a clear call for increased, long-term and predictable funding from the Federal Government to meet demand and make long-term strategic investments in homelessness prevention and supportive housing.
The Region currently has 548 shovel-ready assisted and supportive housing units (PDF file) in its portfolio of housing development opportunities. This means they are fully zoned and serviced, and ready for Federal and Provincial investment to get construction started. These new units are critical in preventing higher emergency shelter use, street homelessness and encampments.
The Federal Government can support Halton in providing housing for those with the greatest need by:
- Partnering with Halton Region by investing in our shovel-ready assisted and supportive housing properties. This will get them built as fast as possible to meet increasing demand.
- Providing increased, long-term and predictable capital and operating funding to support the Region in providing housing and supports for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Increasing coordination across all three levels of government to address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crises.
Advocacy document: Providing housing for those with the greatest need (PDF file)