In the race for Toronto’s next mayor, all three main contenders claim they can tackle homelessness in the city without a significant increase in spending, despite public opinion favoring the allocation of property tax revenue to address the issue. Recent data from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) indicates an 8% decrease in homelessness in Toronto last year, but the problem remains acute, with over 19,000 individuals seeking shelter or sleeping rough in 2024-25.
Candidate Chris Alexander highlighted the visible presence of unhoused individuals across the city as a major concern for residents, emphasizing the need for action during a recent press briefing. The leading mayoral candidates, Olivia Chow, Brad Bradford, and Alexander, have outlined their strategies to combat homelessness, all of which aim to work within the existing city budget without a significant influx of funds.
A recent poll revealed that a substantial portion of respondents believe that money generated from property tax hikes should be directed towards affordable housing and homelessness services. Despite voter preferences, the leading candidates are focusing on optimizing the current $786 million homelessness budget at City Hall to address the issue.
Chow’s campaign credits her compassionate approach to homelessness, citing improvements in homelessness statistics released by the FAO. Bradford prioritizes supportive housing and collaboration with other levels of government to assist homeless individuals struggling with addiction. Alexander proposed a plan centered on repurposing unoccupied units for unhoused individuals, with an initial cost of $26 million.
While the candidates’ proposals aim to avoid additional city spending, experts caution that addressing Toronto’s homelessness crisis may necessitate increased financial resources. Housing research consultant Nick Falvo and industry professor Steve Pomeroy expressed doubts about the feasibility of effectively tackling homelessness without additional funding, pointing out the challenges in reallocating existing resources within the current system.
With early voting underway and the municipal election scheduled for October 26, the issue of homelessness remains a focal point in the mayoral race, with 53 candidates vying for the city’s top position.