Toronto’s Unhoused Population More Than Doubled in 3 Years, New City Survey Finds

Toronto is facing a significant crisis as its unhoused population has more than doubled in just three years. Recent findings from the city’s 2024 Street Needs Assessment indicate that the number of unhoused individuals has surged to an estimated 15,400 as of last fall. This alarming increase from 7,300 in April 2021 underscores the urgent need for effective intervention and support systems regarding the Toronto unhoused population.

Toronto’s Unhoused Population: A Growing Concern

Understanding the Current Situation

The 2024 assessment conducted by the City of Toronto highlights a homelessness crisis that no single organization or level of government can resolve independently. The report outlines several factors contributing to this rise:

• Lack of affordable housing: A critical issue driving individuals into homelessness.
• Unmet health needs: Many unhoused individuals struggle with physical and mental health issues.
• Inadequate income support: Insufficient financial resources make it difficult for individuals to secure housing.
• Substance use struggles: Increasing instances of substance use among the unhoused population.

Demographic Insights

Research indicates that racialized individuals are disproportionately represented in homelessness statistics. Key findings of the survey include:

• Indigenous Representation: 9% of the unhoused population identified as Indigenous, despite making up only 3% of Toronto’s total population.
• Black Population: 58% identified as Black, compared to 10% of the city’s overall demographics.
• 2SLGBTQ+ Community: The number of unhoused individuals from this community has doubled since 2021.

City’s Response and Future Directions

In response to the crisis, the city has reported some success in reducing the number of unhoused individuals due to various outreach efforts:

• Referrals to shelters: 1,078 people living outside were referred to shelters last year.
• Permanent housing: Over 4,300 individuals were successfully housed.
• Outreach initiatives: 25,000 outreach visits were conducted to assist those experiencing homelessness.

However, Gord Tanner, the general manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, emphasizes that the core issue remains affordability. The city requires a comprehensive, long-term strategy supported by federal and provincial governments to prevent homelessness effectively.

As advocates call for urgent action, the hope is that the data from this survey will serve as a wake-up call for all levels of government to tackle the complex issue of homelessness in Toronto. To illustrate, addressing the underlying causes and implementing supportive measures can significantly improve the lives of those affected by homelessness.

As the city navigates this crisis, it is crucial to recognize that these are not just statistics; they represent real people with unique stories and needs. Additionally, the dramatic increase in Toronto’s unhoused population highlights an urgent humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention and action from all stakeholders.

More…

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11104578
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness_in_the_United_States
• https://academic.oup.com/socpro/advance-article/doi/10.1093/socpro/spaf003/7965917
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/menagerie-market-2025