Concerns Raised Over Temporary Housing in Ontario

A report from a local United Way branch cautions that municipalities depending too heavily on small shelter communities and other temporary housing programs may be extending homelessness for some individuals.

The report from the United Way Perth-Huron in Stratford, Ont., indicates that the social and financial costs associated with these temporary solutions accumulate over time, often failing to transition vulnerable people into permanent housing.

“We found a lack of evidence that [temporary shelters] work as well as, or better than, what the standard evidence would say works long-term,” Kathy Vassilakos, the lead author of the paper and director of the United Housing initiative told CBC’s Afternoon Drive.

Vassilakos highlighted that the report does not call for an end to emergency shelters, recognizing their significance in reducing harm during crises.

However, she stated that governments should prioritize solutions aimed at securing permanent housing first, with resources allocated for mental health support, addiction treatment, and other challenges coming after – a strategy known as Housing First.

“If you stabilize someone by making sure they get into permanent housing and you provide the wraparound services that they need to support them in maintaining their housing. That strategy is far more effective,” she said.

This report appears amid increasing homelessness rates in Ontario. The number of homeless individuals in Ontario rose by 25 percent between 2022 and 2024, with over 81,500 people reporting being unhoused; more than half of those were chronic cases according to the report.

The report evaluated the success of Housing First models implemented in both the UK and Finland. It found that the UK’s approach resulted in approximately $29,917 CAD per year in benefits for both individuals and systems. Meanwhile, Finland reported savings of about $64.4 million CAD during its first 12 years of its Housing First program according to United Way’s findings.

Afternoon Drive7:48Tiny homes may not solve the homelessness crisis

Kathy Vassilakos is director of the United Housing initiative. She authored a report showing that increased dependence on non-permanent shelter systems could further entrench homelessness.

According to Vassilakos, a significant takeaway from this research is that without shifting focus toward permanent supportive housing strategies, temporary shelters might become ingrained in how communities tackle homelessness.

“It really is that if you can stabilize people’s housing and shelter, they are now in a better position to be able to actually take care of all those other challenges.”

Tiny home initiatives have emerged across southwestern Ontario including locations such as Woodstock, St. Thomas, Kitchener, Hamilton, Chatham-Kent and London’s micro-modular site which opened earlier this January. The City of Windsor announced on Wednesday it might convert its empty arena into a “pod-style” village consisting of tiny homes.

Vassilakos mentioned while it’s beneficial for municipalities to utilize temporary shelters; funding should also direct towards long-term housing investments which offer stability and improved outcomes for vulnerable populations.

“There is a need for immediate crisis acute intervention but we have to be cautious so it doesn’t divert resources away from proven long-term solutions because it’s very costly to keep people unhoused and it doesn’t help them either,” she said.

The United Way’s report reviewed local data indicating non-profits in Stratford assisted 734 individuals in 2025; however, 39 people could not secure stable housing due to insufficient available units.

In nearby Huron County at least 148 households faced homelessness by July last year.Kathy Vassilakos is director of the United Way Perth-Huron’s Housing initiative. She authored a report showing that growing reliance on non-permanent shelter systems may deepen homelessness issues within Ontario communities. (Submitted by the United Way Perth-Huron)

Both short-term and long-term plans needed

Abe Oudshoorn agrees permanent housing serves as an ideal solution but acknowledges both models play roles when addressing homelessness.Kathy Vassilakos is director of..

He’s a professor at Western University focused on poverty research related topics like health.”Permanent housing absolutely needs priority but I think communities should ensure enough spaces exist before moving away from temporary shelters.”Kathy Vassilakos..I<d Oudshoorn points out London invests equally into long-term responses alongside temporary options while people transition toward affordable living situations.Noonglonger-seen-that-the-longr term-invests-may-mean-lower-capacity-overall-into-the-community-housing-supply-afterwards-
Abe Oudshoorn says municipalities must evaluate what balance exists regarding crisis space requirements ensuring adequate capacity overall remains intact.Abe Oudshoorn added effective pathways via crisis spaces permit access low-barrier services while addressing routes leading back home again(Kate Dubinski/).I<he states massive research supports actualization behind permanency choices yet realities surrounding budget constraints impact accessibility within these realms today![a&aid;</sup>‘s’ after ‘and/or’]<o}(9)}“end]]}V;(68);'s'‘s’Aeans-recommend-shifting-funding-from-short-to-longterms-investments-to-improve-outcomes–projects-supported-downstream-further.)”`as`“A little bit more money upfront now saves you lots down road.”-we`’want-want-to+do+something+about-homes-in-a-way-not-willing-never-be-willing-deeply-caring-about-costs-often-affecting-both-personally-and-community-wide.”

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