A recent report has highlighted the growing issue of homelessness in rural areas of Ontario, prompting calls for increased funding for housing and social services from those assisting homeless individuals outside the province’s urban centers.
Data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association revealed that approximately 85,000 people were experiencing homelessness across Ontario in 2025, marking an eight percent increase from the previous year. Notably, homelessness in rural areas saw a substantial 31 percent surge in the same period, with over 4,600 individuals unhoused in predominantly rural regions.
Erin Schooley, the homelessness program manager for Huron County, emphasized the concerning trend of rising homelessness rates, stressing the need for comprehensive government responses to address the issue both in urban and rural settings.
Huron County, where 195 individuals were reported as homeless in December, has implemented initiatives like “bridge housing” to provide support services and accommodation options in collaboration with local organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Despite receiving assistance from the province’s homelessness prevention program, Schooley acknowledged the financial strain faced by Huron County in supporting programs through property tax levies due to limited resources in rural communities.
Danielle Neilson, manager of housing stability services in St. Thomas and Elgin County, highlighted the challenges of tracking and addressing rural homelessness, noting the need for increased funding to sustain programs that assist individuals with housing stability and essential services.
In Elgin County, where the waitlist for housing decreased but demand remains high, Neilson emphasized the underfunding of homelessness response programs, calling for additional financial support to meet the growing need for housing assistance.
While the province has allocated resources for rural regions, the report by AMO emphasized the persistent reliance of rural municipalities on property tax revenue, underscoring the need for enhanced government funding to address housing shortages and support homeless populations effectively.
Claire Dodds, commissioner of community development in Bruce County, echoed the urgent need for substantial investments in housing to provide stability for vulnerable individuals, urging provincial and federal authorities to prioritize funding for rapid housing development to meet immediate community needs.