A recent report by Maytree, a human rights organization focused on poverty solutions, reveals a concerning 72% increase in homelessness among individuals receiving assistance from Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) since 2019. Data obtained from the provincial government through a freedom of information request shows that over 30,000 program beneficiaries lack stable housing.
Maytree’s director of systems change, Alexi White, emphasized that the original intent of OW and ODSP in the 1990s was to adequately support individuals to afford housing. However, the current reality reflects a significant shift, with living on low incomes becoming increasingly challenging due to policy neglect.
The report underscores a sharp 136% rise in homelessness among long-term OW recipients over the past six years, indicating a failure to alleviate poverty and provide stability. Lena Balata, the senior policy adviser at Maytree and author of the study, described reliance on OW as a pathway to homelessness rather than an escape from poverty.
Notably, the majority of unhoused recipients are single adults who receive the lowest benefits from the province. While the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services highlighted efforts to enhance affordability through ODSP rate increases and earnings exemptions, gaps persist. The maximum monthly rates for OW and ODSP recipients fall significantly below the average market rents in urban centers like Toronto, making housing increasingly unattainable for those on low incomes.
Maytree’s recommendations to the provincial government include addressing systemic poverty causes, ensuring sufficient income support for housing affordability, and expanding accessible housing options, particularly for marginalized communities. The report urges proactive measures to combat the escalating homelessness crisis in Ontario.