Youth Homelessness in the GTA: The Urgent Need for Supportive Housing

The irony of Canada’s wealthiest city is that 1,500 – 2,000 youth sleep on Toronto’s streets each night, making them the most vulnerable age group to mental illness and substance use disorders. Youth homelessness is a growing crisis in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), yet it remains one of the most overlooked aspects of the housing crisis. With rising rental costs, lack of family support, and limited access to stable employment, thousands of young people in the GTA find themselves without a secure place to live. Without immediate intervention, these youth risk long-term cycles of homelessness, poverty, and instability.

The solution is clear: a comprehensive youth-focused supportive housing strategy. Governments at all levels must invest in transitional and permanent housing options tailored to young people, along with wraparound support services that help them build stable, independent lives.

Expert Insights: A Housing-First Approach for Youth
We spoke with Anne Babcock, President and CEO of WoodGreen Community Services, and Chris Bouchard, Executive Director of TPYS, both of whom emphasized the need for supportive housing units specifically designed for youth. According to them, the key to solving youth homelessness is not just providing housing but ensuring that critical support services are built into these units. This means having counselors, mental health supports, drug addiction treatment programs, and employment resources housed within the same buildings to create a stable foundation for youth to rebuild their lives.

The Scope of the Crisis

• An estimated 20% of Canada’s homeless population is between the ages of 13 and 24.
• In Toronto, over 2,000 youth experience homelessness on any given night.
• Many of these young people have aged out of the foster care system with no stable housing options.
• LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented, often due to family rejection and lack of support systems.
• Without intervention, youth homelessness leads to increased risks of mental health struggles, addiction, and long-term housing insecurity.

Why Youth Need Specialized Supportive Housing
Youth experiencing homelessness face unique challenges compared to adults:

• Education and Employment Barriers: Many struggle to complete high school or maintain employment without stable housing.
• Lack of Rental History or Credit: Traditional housing systems make it nearly impossible for youth to secure a lease.
• Mental Health and Trauma: Many youth have experienced abuse, neglect, or instability that requires mental health support alongside housing.
• Vulnerability to Exploitation: Without a safe home, young people are at risk of trafficking, criminal involvement, and unsafe living arrangements.

Proposed Solutions: A Youth Housing Strategy
To break the cycle of youth homelessness, governments must prioritize housing solutions specifically designed for young people. This means:

1. Expanding Youth-Specific Supportive Housing Programs
   • Increase the number of youth shelters and transitional housing units with long-term pathways to permanent homes.
   • Ensure housing programs provide mental health, education, and employment supports.
   • Develop rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units for youth, ensuring they can afford stable housing while pursuing education or training.
2. Investing in Permanent Affordable Housing for Youth
   • Convert underutilized government-owned buildings into youth-focused affordable housing projects.
   • Partner with non-profits to develop housing with on-site mentorship, job training, and life skills programs.
   • Ensure a portion of new affordable housing developments are reserved for youth tenants.
3. Housing Support for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
   • Implement a “Housing First for Youth” policy that guarantees all young people leaving foster care have access to safe, stable housing.
   • Provide financial support and case management to prevent youth from falling into homelessness upon aging out of care.
   • Develop affordable co-living spaces where youth can receive peer support while transitioning to independent living.
4. Emergency Housing Response for At-Risk Youth
   • Establish crisis housing units in every municipality to provide immediate shelter and support for homeless youth.
   • Create LGBTQ+-inclusive housing programs to support youth facing family rejection.
   • Expand access to tiny home communities for youth, providing cost-effective, stable housing options.

The Benefits of Investing in Youth Housing
✅ Prevents Chronic Homelessness – Providing stable housing early reduces long-term reliance on shelters and social services.
✅ Improves Mental Health Outcomes – Safe housing reduces stress and allows youth to focus on healing and growth.
✅ Promotes Economic Independence – Stable housing allows young people to pursue education, training, and employment.
✅ Breaks the Cycle of Poverty – Investing in youth housing now prevents higher social costs in the future.

Call to Action: Make Youth Housing a Priority
Despite the clear need for action, youth remain one of the most underserved populations in Canada’s housing system. The federal and provincial governments must commit to funding permanent supportive housing solutions tailored to the needs of young people. This means moving beyond temporary shelters and investing in long-term, affordable housing programs that give youth the stability they need to thrive.

Without decisive action, thousands of young people in the GTA will continue to face homelessness, vulnerability, and instability. The time to act is now.

Stay tuned for next week’s feature: Affordable Housing for Seniors in the GTA: A Growing Crisis