Homelessness in Ontario and Canada
In 2024, the Ottawa Mission issued our No More Waiting report concerning shocking levels of homelessness and hunger. Now, things are even worse:
Homelessness in Canada has increased by 20% since 2018.
In Ontario, over 80,000 people are homeless, which could rise to 300,000 by 2035.
23% of Canadians are food insecure.
Major Ontario cities have declared food insecurity emergencies.
Homelessness in Ottawa
3,000 people are homeless, with over 500 living outside.
In January, two homeless people died of exposure.
Our shelter is at over 100% capacity, with clients sleeping in our chapel and lounge.
Without funding for building homes, shelters and transitional housing, homelessness could increase 58% by 2035.
With 25% of households food insecure, the Mission served 1.2 million meals across Ottawa.
How The Ottawa Mission is Reducing Homelessness
A shelter is not a home. At The Ottawa Mission, we believe that housing is a human right. That’s why our Case Workers work hard to help members of the community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure safe, affordable and appropriate housing.
Hunger has reached epidemic levels in our community, with thousands of people at risk of going hungry. At The Ottawa Mission, we fight hunger by bringing much needed meals to people across our community every single day.
We invite you to join us — together we can accomplish more!
“I come to The Mission food truck for the meals and to meet different people. This is a good service and the meals are good too.”
Explore All The Transformational Programs at The Ottawa Mission
Learn how our emergency services, health and wellbeing initiatives, and long-term support programs are changing lives.
How You Can Make A Difference
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