TORONTO — The City of Toronto has released new data from its 2024 Street Needs Assessment, revealing that an estimated 15,400 people were experiencing homelessness in the city as of last fall — more than double the number reported in 2021.
The data highlights a worsening crisis driven by rising housing costs, gaps in health care and addiction services, insufficient income supports, and a sharp increase in refugee claimant shelter use. Despite these challenges, the City says early progress is already being made thanks to targeted housing and shelter efforts.
City of Toronto releases findings of 2024 Street Needs Assessment homelessness survey
News Release: https://t.co/t63tEZm2re pic.twitter.com/xL8MexMjZ4
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) July 7, 2025
Key Findings from the 2024 Survey
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15,400 people were unhoused in October 2024 — up from 7,300 in April 2021
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Refugee claimants made up over 50% of Toronto’s shelter population — up from 13% in 2021
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Black Torontonians accounted for 58% of the homeless population, despite making up just 10% of the city
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Indigenous residents represented 9% of respondents — triple their share of the general population
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Most respondents reported at least one health issue, including mental health concerns, chronic illness, or substance use
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Top prevention factors cited by participants:
➤ Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing
➤ Tenant rights education
➤ Employment or education supports
Despite the increase, the City notes that homelessness is beginning to trend downward, partly due to:
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A decline in refugee claimant entries into the shelter system
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Fewer encampments across the city
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Increased placement of people into permanent housing
What’s Being Done
Toronto is investing in long-term solutions. Under its HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, the City has approved 6,600 new rent-controlled, affordable, and RGI homes in 2024 alone.
Over the next decade, Toronto will open up to 20 new smaller, cost-effective shelter sites, with seven locations already selected. These new shelters are expected to save up to $33.6 million per site over 10 years, compared to leased hotel shelters.
Other key actions in 2024 included:
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1,078 people moved from encampments into shelters
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4,300+ people placed in permanent housing
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25,000+ outreach visits made
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45 new frontline/outreach staff being hired in 2025
To improve planning and response, the City will now conduct a Street Needs Assessment annually, with a full federal assessment every three years.
A Holistic Approach
While shelter expansion continues, the City emphasizes that access to affordable housing remains the most effective way to end homelessness.
By combining housing supply, shelter access, income supports, and health services, the City hopes to shift from crisis response to long-term solutions.
📄 The full report is available at:
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-257203.pdf
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