Wellesley Institute

Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.

Home Blog Archives for Housing

Posts

Housing

Policy brief: Bold action on supportive housing

Jesse Rosenberg, Krishni Ganesan, Safiyah Husein, Savhanna Wilson |

A model of a red house stands in front of rows of white houses

Ontario faces three crises in housing – attainability, affordability and homelessness. We cannot solve these crises without supportive housing. Supportive housing combines housing assistance and wrap-around support services to serve diverse client populations. It’s critical to meet the needs of those at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness, individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, […]

Continue ReadingPolicy brief: Bold action on supportive housing  Download PublicationBold action on supportive housing

Homelessness is a policy failure, not a crime

|

A large orange, green, beige and gray colored homeless tent with tarp covering set up amongst trees on yellow or brown colored grass along a bike and walking path with bench.

The number of people living in encampments across the province has been growing in recent years. At least 1,400 encampments were reported across Ontario in 2023. The growth demonstrates how current social and economic policy is failing more and more people.  The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario’s Big City mayors and numerous councillors have […]

Continue ReadingHomelessness is a policy failure, not a crime

Jurisdictional scan: Strategies to support homeless 2SLGBTQ+ communities

Mauriene Tolentino, Rishika Wadehra |

A white ceramic model of a home on a like blue background with a rainbow ribbon draped over the top.

Evidence shows 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Canada experience higher rates of homelessness. They face unique barriers to housing, and there are major gaps in the ability of housing and service providers to offer the supports they need.  In an effort to help cities address the issue, Wellesley Institute reviewed 27 current and forthcoming municipal-led or supported […]

Continue ReadingJurisdictional scan: Strategies to support homeless 2SLGBTQ+ communities  Download PublicationStrategies to Support Homeless 2SLGBTQ+ Communities – A jurisdictional scan

Federal Pre-Budget 2025 Submission: Time for vision and leadership on health equity

|

Canadian flag waving with Parliament Buildings hill and Library in the background

Wellesley Institute submitted the following recommendations last week for Federal Budget 2025. Recommendation 1: Expand on previous funding targeting homelessness and provide a clear vision and public targets to end chronic homelessness within 10 years. Recommendation 2: Expand and reform existing income security programs, including Employment Insurance, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. […]

Continue ReadingFederal Pre-Budget 2025 Submission: Time for vision and leadership on health equity

Pride Month highlights need to address 2SLGBTQ+ homelessness

|

Young woman in the city with short hair

Pride Month is not only a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities, but a call for more equitable policies across all sectors, from health to housing. Access to safe, stable and affordable housing is critical for good health. Recent government action on housing has largely focused on increasing housing affordability, while little is being done to […]

Continue ReadingPride Month highlights need to address 2SLGBTQ+ homelessness

Federal Budget 2024: Positive steps, but still no targets

|

Tents in a park with a sign that says "Permanent solutions"

This year’s proposed federal budget takes some important steps forward on issues that are crucial to population health and health equity. In particular, we acknowledge that the government proposes to increase its investments in affordable housing and ending homelessness and is introducing funding for the Canada Disability Benefit, which will provide assistance to low-income persons […]

Continue ReadingFederal Budget 2024: Positive steps, but still no targets

Our response to Ontario Budget 2024

|

Tents along University Avenue in Toronto

In our recommendations to the province on the 2024 Ontario Budget, Wellesley Institute called for a focus on homelessness. We urged the province to: put in place a plan to end homelessness in 10 years, make sure their general housing targets will lead to affordability and to lifting Ontarians out of homelessness, invest in enough […]

Continue ReadingOur response to Ontario Budget 2024

City of Toronto Budget 2024: Our input

|

Nathan Phillips Square with Toronto City Hall in the background at dusk

Although the City of Toronto 2024 budget takes bold steps toward supporting residents and advancing equity in key areas, there is much more work that needs to be done to build a city that is resilient, mentally healthy and equitable for all.

Continue ReadingCity of Toronto Budget 2024: Our input

Ontario Budget 2024: Urgent need to address homelessness

|

Ontario flag on a flagpole against a blue sky

Wellesley Institute’s submission in advance of the provincial budget Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity through action on the social determinants of health. We urge the government of Ontario to deliberately address and report upon many of the social determinants of health that are so costly in terms of […]

Continue ReadingOntario Budget 2024: Urgent need to address homelessness

Winter plan for people sheltering outdoors falls short

|

A homeless man lying on a Toronto street in a sleeping bag while a street care passes by.

Cold weather can have a devastating impact on people who are homeless, leading to hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Adequate shelter spaces and a safe and dignified outdoor outreach strategy are critical to supporting people living outdoors.   The City of Toronto’s 2023 Winter Services Plan outlined steps to support those who are sheltering outdoors this […]

Continue ReadingWinter plan for people sheltering outdoors falls short

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.