The number of homeless individuals in the Ottawa area has surged to nearly 3,000 this year, with more than 500 people now living on the streets. This sharp increase follows the Ottawa Mission shelter reaching full capacity for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Food insecurity is serious,” said Peter Tilly, executive director of the Ottawa Mission. “Before COVID, one in seven households was food insecure. Now, one in four households is food insecure.” He noted that 46% of the homeless population reported needing food assistance.
Field service officer Ashley Porter revealed that over 20% of those currently seeking shelter are refugees. “The combination of deteriorating mental health, substance use, rising housing costs, and the surge in demand from refugees is already overwhelming our shelters,” she said. Porter described how many are no longer able to sleep even on floor mats, resorting instead to lounge chairs in sanctuaries. Some refugees arriving at the airport reported being directed by federal officials to the Ottawa Mission, only to find there was no adequate space for them. “If people fleeing war and persecution are forced to sleep in chapels or lounge chairs, then the government’s response to refugees needs to be fundamentally overhauled,” she emphasized.
Despite the growing crisis, the City of Ottawa recently withdrew plans to build a temporary shelter, citing a reported decline in refugee numbers. However, the Ottawa Mission has contradicted that claim, stressing that shelter demand continues to far outpace supply. Food demand has also exploded. “Before the pandemic, we were serving about 495,000 meals a year,” said Rick Allen-Watson, director of food distribution. “This year, we’re on track to serve over 1.3 million. It’s just ridiculous.”
As the federal election approaches, the Ottawa Mission is calling on government agencies and political leaders to take urgent, proactive steps to address the homelessness and food insecurity crisis. They emphasize the need for expanded housing and enhanced social welfare support for low-income residents. The situation reflects a wider trend across Ontario, where more than 80,000 people were homeless last year. The number of individuals living on the streets or in shelters has increased by 25% over the past two years.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has warned that only a “radically new approach” will be effective, as opposed to short-term solutions. They propose a long-term investment of $11 billion over the next decade to build 75,000 low-income and supportive housing units, along with $2 billion over eight years to assist those living in homeless encampments.