By Bambang Sadewo, Village Report · July 7, 2026
Homelessness is climbing amid growing demand on shelters and stagnant funding
This story was originally published by Village Report. Reproduced here with the reporting intact.
Homelessness continues to rise across Halton, with provincial funding unchanged over the past three years despite growing demand for shelters and housing support.
Regional council approved a $14.28-million Homelessness Prevention Program investment plan last month, but staff warned the funding has not kept pace with increasing need. The province's annual allocation has remained frozen since 2023, despite higher shelter demand and rising housing costs.
According to the report, the region's point-in-time count conducted in 2025 identified 342 people experiencing homelessness — a seven per cent increase over the previous year — while overall emergency shelter demand climbed 14 per cent. At the same time, the region says prevention and housing programs helped divert 1,231 households from shelter and move 404 people into permanent housing, a 54 per cent increase from 2024.
One of the sharpest increases came among women experiencing homelessness, with emergency shelters reporting a 62 per cent increase in demand last year.
During council's discussion, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said the growing need makes the stagnant provincial funding increasingly concerning.
"We're experiencing a seven per cent increase… but we're not getting an increase in that funding," she said. "We have residents asking us when they see someone living rough or pitching a tent in one of our ravines or parks what we are doing, and we are doing everything we can at the municipal level."
She added that municipalities continue to shoulder costs that should be shared by all levels of government.
Councillors also said homelessness is becoming more visible in their communities, and raised concerns about whether enough services are available across the region. Municipal staff are increasingly dealing with homelessness-related issues, and regional staff were asked to report back during the next budget process on ways to improve services and access.
Alex Sarchuk, commissioner of social and community services, stressed the region offers support to every individual seeking help.
"One is too many," Sarchuk said.
He said emergency shelter beds remain available, with transportation provided when needed, while outreach workers regularly visit known encampment locations. The region has also expanded supportive housing, including a recently opened 12-unit development and plans for another.
Regional councillor Colin Best said churches, charities, police and business improvement areas should all be part of the response as homelessness becomes more visible.
"We have to work together on this one," Best said, adding that both the province and federal government need to provide greater support.
Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall questioned whether provincial social assistance rates are contributing to the problem, after noting many recipients of the region's Housing Stability Fund rely on Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Sarchuk said current assistance rates are simply inadequate.
"Social assistance rates in Ontario are insufficient for people to keep life and limb together," he said, adding that Ontario Works rates have not increased since 2018. A single person receiving Ontario Works can receive up to $733 a month, including the shelter allowance, he noted.
"Somehow an individual should feed and clothe and house themselves for $733. It's an impossibility."
He said programs such as the Housing Stability Fund help prevent evictions and homelessness but only mitigate the impacts of poverty rather than addressing its root causes.
It's a report from Halton, not Kingston, but it's the same pattern we see every day at Belle Park: rising need running straight into funding that won't move.