Ontario's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness

Summary#

This bill creates a province‑wide plan to end homelessness in Ontario within 10 years. It sets clear goals, creates an advisory committee, and requires public annual reports so people can track progress.

• Sets a 10‑year target to eliminate homelessness using a “housing‑first” approach (move people quickly into permanent housing with no preconditions).
• Defines “deeply affordable” rent as no more than 30% of a person’s gross income.
• Requires a plan to increase supportive housing and expand portable rent help through the Canada‑Ontario Housing Benefit.
• Builds a better data system to track homelessness, deaths, returns to homelessness, and the number of supportive, transitional, and deeply affordable units.
• Creates a Homelessness Advisory Committee within 90 days, with up to 11 members, including people who have experienced homelessness and housing advocates.
• Requires an annual public report on progress; the government can add more reporting items by regulation.
• Takes effect once it becomes law.

What it means for you#

• People experiencing homelessness

  • Faster moves into permanent housing under a housing‑first model.
  • More supportive housing (homes with on‑site or connected services).
  • More access to portable rent help that can be used in private rentals.
  • Your voice may be represented on the advisory committee.

• Low‑income renters

  • Potential growth in “deeply affordable” units, where rent is capped at 30% of income.
  • Possible help paying rent through an expanded housing benefit.

• Service providers and shelters

  • Shift toward housing‑first placements and supportive housing.
  • New data reporting to track outcomes like housing placements and returns to homelessness.

• Municipalities and Indigenous partners

  • Closer coordination with the province on housing targets and data systems.
  • Annual provincial reporting on local homelessness trends and available units.

• Taxpayers and the public

  • Clear, yearly updates on how many people are unhoused, who found housing, who returned to homelessness, and how many affordable units exist.
  • More transparency about what is working and where gaps remain.

• Landlords

  • More tenants may use portable housing benefits to help pay rent.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• A time‑bound goal and housing‑first approach will move people into stable homes faster.
• Investing in housing and supports can save money by lowering health, jail, and shelter costs compared with doing nothing.
• Annual public reports increase transparency and help target what works.
• Lived‑experience voices on the advisory committee keep the plan grounded in real needs.
• More supportive housing and portable rent help can make private market units affordable right away.
• A stronger data system will guide smarter spending and reduce people cycling back into homelessness.

Opponents' View#

• The bill does not guarantee funding or set binding housing targets, so results may fall short.
• A 10‑year promise to “eliminate” homelessness may be unrealistic without major new investment.
• Added data and reporting could create administrative burden and raise privacy concerns.
• Relying on portable benefits may not be enough if rents keep rising or units are scarce.
• The advisory committee is small (up to 11 members) and advisory only; it cannot enforce action.
• The bill mentions affordability goals but does not change zoning, rent rules, or approvals that affect housing supply and costs.