From Shelter to Streets: Understanding the Rise of Homelessness in Toronto

Article Overview

Homelessness in Toronto has been steadily rising, turning into one of the city’s most pressing social challenges. Once considered a temporary or isolated issue, it has now become a widespread crisis shaped by skyrocketing housing costs, growing economic inequality, and gaps in mental health and social support systems. On any given night, thousands of people in Toronto have no safe place to call home, with shelters overwhelmed and encampments increasingly visible in public spaces.

This article explores the factors behind the rise of homelessness in Toronto, from the housing crisis to systemic barriers, and why understanding these causes is the first step in creating real change. By examining both the numbers and the human impact, we aim to bring greater awareness to a problem that affects not just those without homes, but the entire community.

A Surge You Can’t Ignore

Toronto is facing one of the sharpest rises in homelessness in its history. According to the City of Toronto’s Street Needs Assessment (2024), the number of people experiencing homelessness more than doubled in just three years — from 7,347 in 2021 to over 15,000 in 2024 (City of Toronto, 2024).

That number isn’t just a statistic — it’s a reflection of visible shifts in our communities. Encampments have become common in parks and ravines, while shelters operate at near full capacity every night. As the report itself notes:

“These data highlight the failure of multiple systems, such as affordable housing, health care, mental health, income support, and the justice system” (City of Toronto, 2024).

What’s Fueling the Increase

1. The Housing Affordability Crisis

Toronto’s housing costs have skyrocketed in the past decade. A bachelor apartment now averages $1,400+ per month, far outpacing income supports or minimum wage earnings (Homeless Hub, 2023). Affordable housing waitlists can stretch up to 14 years for a one-bedroom unit (Fred Victor, 2024).

Advocates stress that this is not accidental, but structural:

“Homelessness is driven by decades of disinvestment in affordable and social housing and with a chronic underfunding of things like income supports” (Now Toronto, 2024).

2. Economic Pressures & Inflation

It’s not just about rent. Food, utilities, and transportation costs have all climbed due to inflation. For those already living paycheck to paycheck, even small increases push them closer to homelessness. The 2024 assessment found that insufficient income support was one of the top drivers of the crisis (City of Toronto, 2024).

3. Gaps in Social Supports & Mental Health Services

Homelessness is also tied to health. Many people experiencing it report struggles with mental illness, chronic medical conditions, or substance use. In fact, the majority of respondents in the city’s survey identified one or more health issue that contributed to their housing instability (City of Toronto, 2024).

Who’s Most Affected

The rise of homelessness doesn’t impact all communities equally. Black Torontonians account for nearly 58% of the unhoused population, despite representing just 10% of the city’s population. Indigenous peoples also make up 9% of those experiencing homelessness, while they are only about 3% of Toronto’s total population (City of Toronto, 2024).

This reflects deep inequities rooted in systemic racism, discrimination, and unequal access to housing and employment opportunities.

The Human Side & Visible Signals

Beyond numbers, the crisis is visible everywhere. Shelters run at 98% capacity or higher almost every night (Fred Victor, 2024). Tents in parks like Trinity Bellwoods and Moss Park have become symbols of a system struggling to keep up.

The wait for affordable housing is daunting: in Toronto, families can wait 9–14 years for a subsidized unit (Fred Victor, 2024). For many, that means years of bouncing between shelters, couch-surfing, or living outdoors.

Why This Matters: More Than Just Data

When homelessness rises, its effects ripple across the city. Hospitals see higher admissions, communities grapple with safety concerns, and public spaces become contested. Most importantly, human dignity is at stake.

As one advocate explains:

“People need housing they can afford … The government isn’t willing to invest what it takes to solve this crisis” (Now Toronto, 2024).