Ontario Commits to Ending Chronic Homelessness in 10 Years
Province Releases Report from Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness
October 28, 2015
Ontario is moving ahead with an ambitious target to end chronic homelessness in 10 years and is implementing recommendations from an Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness.
In January 2015, Ontario established an Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness to provide advice on how to achieve the goal of ending homelessness under the province’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The Panel’s report [PDF] acknowledges that homelessness is complex, and that progressive action is required to address it. In response, Ontario is committing to a number of immediate and long-term actions, including:
- setting a target to end chronic homelessness in 10 years
- providing up to $10 million over two years in targeted funding from the Local Poverty Reduction Fund to help prevent and end homelessness across the province
- adopting the recommended definition of homelessness, including chronic homelessness, to build common language and understanding about the problem
- planning to require enumeration at the local level to gather data about homelessness
- prioritizing provincial action to reduce homelessness in four areas: youth, Aboriginal, and chronic homelessness, as well as homelessness following transitions from provincially-funded institutions and service systems, such as jails and hospitals
Working towards the long-term goal of ending homelessness is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan.
- In total, the Expert Advisory Panel heard from 40 key presenters representing 15 subpopulations (e.g., youth, LGBTTQ, Aboriginal peoples, seniors, women and families), including representatives from nine municipalities/regions: Hamilton, Cochrane, Durham Region, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Waterloo, Toronto, London and Peel Region.
- The panel recommended that the province adopt the Federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy definition for chronic homelessness. Chronic homelessness is described as people who are currently homeless and have been homeless for six months or more in the past year.
- Ontario is currently updating its innovative Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy to reflect lessons learned through this report, and to integrate new research on best practices related to housing and homelessness
We are moving forward with a 10-year commitment to end chronic homelessness, and in doing so, advance Ontario’s goals under the Poverty Reduction Strategy. I want to thank the Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness for their advice on this complex issue. As a province, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that no one is left behind and that every Ontarian can achieve their full potential.”
“Today marks an important step in our journey to end homelessness in Ontario. I was moved by the stories and expertise that people shared with us, and am grateful to have been a co-chair along with Minister Matthews. Working together, we’ll be able to improve the lives of those most in need in this province.”
“Ending youth homelessness requires addressing its root causes in order to prevent young people from becoming homeless in the first place. I am especially indebted to the panel and those from across the province who helped inform us about the special homelessness challenges faced by Ontario’s youth.”
Conrad Spezowka
Communications
Conrad.Spezowka@ontario.ca
416-585-7066
NT5
