According to a recent report, homelessness is on the rise in rural areas of Ontario, prompting calls for increased funding for housing and social services from organizations assisting homeless individuals outside urban centers.
Statistics from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association revealed that approximately 85,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Ontario in 2025, marking an eight percent increase from the previous year. In rural Ontario, the rate of homelessness surged by 31 percent, with over 4,600 individuals reported as unhoused in predominantly rural regions.
Erin Schooley, homelessness program manager for Huron County, emphasized the need for government intervention at multiple levels to address the growing crisis of homelessness, which is not limited to urban areas but also prevalent in rural communities.
Specifically, in Huron County, where 195 people were identified as homeless in December, efforts have been made to provide support through initiatives like “bridge housing,” which offers shelter and access to essential services such as counseling and navigation systems through partnerships with local organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Despite financial assistance from the province’s homelessness prevention program, additional funding has been required from tax levies in Huron County to sustain certain programs, highlighting the strain on local resources and taxpayers.
Challenges and Initiatives
Rural homelessness presents unique challenges due to its less visible nature compared to urban areas, as noted by Danielle Neilson, manager of housing stability services in St. Thomas and Elgin County. Factors such as limited community resources, transportation issues, and privacy concerns contribute to the complexity of addressing homelessness in rural settings.
Neilson highlighted collaborative efforts among service providers in St. Thomas and Elgin to support individuals in need, including programs assisting with rent, utilities, and investments in dedicated staff to handle urgent cases. However, affordability remains a significant barrier for many individuals striving to remain in their local communities.
Urgent Need for Funding
While Elgin County has managed to reduce its waitlist for housing, the sector continues to face financial constraints exacerbated by underfunded homelessness response programs. Neilson stressed the necessity for increased funding to meet the escalating demand for housing services and emphasized the critical role of government support in addressing this pressing issue.
Despite some governmental support for rural regions, the reliance on property tax revenue in rural municipalities remains high, posing challenges in sustaining essential services for the homeless population.
In Bruce County, the demand for community housing has surged by 17 percent, reflecting the broader trend of housing instability in rural areas. The county has taken steps to invest in transitional housing units and outreach programs; however, the shortage of affordable housing options continues to pose a significant obstacle.
Claire Dodds, commissioner of community development in Bruce County, emphasized the urgent need for substantial investments in housing infrastructure and called upon provincial and federal authorities to prioritize funding allocation to address the immediate housing needs of vulnerable populations.