THE ALL TOO REAL WORLD OF HOMELESSNESS & POVERTY IN TORONTO
HOMELESS IN TORONTO
SOME SHOCKING, BUT ALL TOO REAL STATS:
- Over 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a year, including almost 9,000 in Toronto (ranked the 2nd highest homeless population over any Canadian city)
- Approximately 1,350 chronically homeless people die each year in Canada, with an average life expectancy of 39 years old
- Number of low-income people in Toronto: 604,048
- Annual income of a low-income adult: less than $20,778
- Low-income people are most likely: visible minorities, recent immigrants, and single parents
- Annual income needed to afford a one-bedroom apartment: $38,000
- Percentage of single parents who earn less than that: 55
- Percentage of couples who earn less than that: 31
- Percentage of singles who earn less than that: 69
- Annual amount for a single person receiving Ontario Works: $7,104
- Monthly shelter allowance of Ontario Works: $368
- Number of households living in housing that is too small needs repairs or is unaffordable: 1 in 5
- Proportion of homeless people who want permanent housing: 9 out of 10