A recent report from the human rights organization Maytree reveals a significant increase of 72 percent in the number of individuals enrolled in Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) who are facing homelessness since 2019. According to the organization’s latest policy brief, over 30,000 program beneficiaries lack stable housing, based on data obtained from the provincial government between July 2019 and July 2025.
Maytree’s director of systems change, Alexi White, highlighted that while OW and ODSP initially provided sufficient funding for individuals to secure accommodations in various parts of Ontario in the 1990s, the situation has drastically shifted over time. White emphasized the neglect of addressing the challenges faced by individuals living on low incomes from a policy standpoint.
The report also points out a surge of 136 percent in homelessness among individuals relying on OW for over a year during the same six-year period. Lena Balata, the senior policy adviser at Maytree and the study’s author, noted that instead of aiding in poverty alleviation, dependence on OW is increasingly leading to homelessness for many.
Furthermore, the report highlights that 70 percent of homeless program recipients are single adults, the group receiving the lowest benefits from the province. In response to the report’s findings, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services spokesperson Daniel Schultz stated that the province has taken significant steps to improve affordability for Ontario families and enhance employment opportunities.
Despite a 20 percent increase in ODSP rates since 2022 and a substantial rise in earnings exemptions, gaps persist for OW and ODSP recipients facing high rents, particularly in urban hubs like Toronto. Balata underscored the challenges these individuals encounter due to the disparity between their benefits and the soaring rental costs in the region.
Maytree is urging the provincial government to tackle the systemic roots of poverty, especially for marginalized communities, ensure adequate income support for housing affordability, and expand accessible housing options as part of its recommendations outlined in the report.