Defining homelessness
“Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental, cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant, unhealthy, unsafe, stressful and distressing.”
-- the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2017
-- the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2017
Homelessness in Canada
In 2006, the United Nations declared housing and homelessness a national emergency in Canada.
The report, The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016 | The Homeless Hub, indicates that at least 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a given year, and 35,000 on a given night.
In 2019, Parliament passed the National Housing Strategy Act, which recognizes housing as a human right.
The report, The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016 | The Homeless Hub, indicates that at least 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a given year, and 35,000 on a given night.
In 2019, Parliament passed the National Housing Strategy Act, which recognizes housing as a human right.
Homelessness in Ottawa
In 2020, Ottawa City Council declared a housing and homelessness emergency.
According to the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, 2018:
More information on shelter access in Ottawa, including data by year and type of client, can be found here.
The City of Ottawa 2021 Point in Time further indicated that 32% of 1,340 homeless individuals counted identified as Indigenous, and 4% identified as veterans (and 42% of them as Indigenous)
According to the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, 2018:
- 7,937 Individuals accessed a shelter in Ottawa (6.5% increase over 2017)
- 219 Families were living in off-site motels (10.6% increase over 2017)
- 10% of Ottawa’s shelter users were Youth and the number of Youth shelter users increased 6.8% over 2017
- 21% of single shelter users were Single Women and the number of single shelter users who were women increased 13% over 2017
- 28% of all unique shelter users and 51% of families living in Ottawa’s shelters were Newcomers
More information on shelter access in Ottawa, including data by year and type of client, can be found here.
The City of Ottawa 2021 Point in Time further indicated that 32% of 1,340 homeless individuals counted identified as Indigenous, and 4% identified as veterans (and 42% of them as Indigenous)
Fast facts
There are approximately 22,500 social housing units in Ottawa and more than 11,000 households on the Centralized Wait List for social housing (Subsidized housing | City of Ottawa and 2022 Housing and Homelessness Update). Wait List “Inflow” is more than 3 times “Outflow”.
- Apartment Vacancy Rate: 3.5% (2021)
- Average Cost of Rent (1 bdrm): $1,280/mo (2021)
- Income assistance (basic needs, single individual): $343/mo (2022)
- Income assistance (shelter allowance, single individual): $390/mo (2022)
The cost of homelessness
According to Cost Analysis Of Homelessness | The Homeless Hub, in 2013, homelessness cost the Canadian economy $7.05 billion annually, considering the costs of the provision of emergency shelters and community supports, emergency services, health care, the criminal justice system, etc.
The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa argues that:
Increasing investments in homelessness prevention, with a focus on the necessary supports to keep individuals and families stably housed, is the needed next step to significantly shift the dial on homelessness in our city. Investments in prevention-based approaches have proven to reduce the use of, and related government costs associated with, social services, such as hospital stays, emergency, child protection, policing, corrections and justice services.
The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa argues that:
Increasing investments in homelessness prevention, with a focus on the necessary supports to keep individuals and families stably housed, is the needed next step to significantly shift the dial on homelessness in our city. Investments in prevention-based approaches have proven to reduce the use of, and related government costs associated with, social services, such as hospital stays, emergency, child protection, policing, corrections and justice services.
Global goals
Click here to learn more about how MHI's activities support the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
MHI research
Click here to view research performed by/about MHI.
other resources
Click here to download Background Primer on Canada’s Housing System (by Steve Pomeroy, prepared for the Office of the Federal Housing Advocate)