Homelessness in Canada
On a single night in 2024, the Point-in-Time Count recorded more than 67,000 people experiencing homelessness across 87 Canadian communities. And that’s just the visible part of the picture. The number is likely much higher, as many unhoused people stay with friends or relatives, moving from couch to couch, and therefore aren’t included in official counts.
The National Shelter Study 2024 found that around 119,500 Canadians relied on an emergency shelter at some point during one year.
Canada’s Indigenous Peoples also remain dramatically overrepresented. While the 2022 Census shows they make up only 5% of Canada’s population, nearly one in three shelter users in 2024 (32.5%) identified as Indigenous. This percentage has barely shifted since 2015, highlighting a long-standing and persistent problem.
Hidden Homelessness
According to the Homeless Hub, more than three people experience “hidden homelessness” for every unsheltered person. Hidden homelessness defines individuals who can live inside and off the streets, but do not have their own residence.
According to government estimates, approximately 12% of Canadians have experienced some form of homelessness in their lifetime. Women, including mothers and their children, are much more likely to be among the hidden homeless population.
Indigenous People More Likely to Remain Homeless
In some Canadian cities, more than 90 percent of people experiencing homelessness are Indigenous. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Indigenous people in Canada are eight times more likely to be homeless than non-Indigenous people.
Despite being more likely to experience homelessness, Indigenous Canadians are less likely to use shelters and other support services and therefore more likely to remain homeless. Learn more about Indigenous homelessness in Canada.
35,000–40,000 Youths Experience Homelessness Annually
Young people are also especially vulnerable. On any given night in Canada, more than 6,000 youths are homeless. Over the course of one year, nearly 40,000 youths experience homelessness.
Youth homelessness in Canada remains a significant and escalating issue. Approximately 44% of people experiencing homelessness for the first time were under the age of 25. Approximately 19–20 percent of all people who experience homelessness in Canada are between the ages of 13 and 25. Young people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning make up 25-40 percent of that population.
The representation of women and 2SLGBTQI+ respondents was higher among youth than among older age groups.
As in the U.S., poverty and lack of affordable housing drive Canada’s homelessness crisis. Canada is grappling with a serious housing affordability crisis. For years, skyrocketing home prices and rents has drawn global attention. The soaring costs have placed a heavy burden on countless Canadians and their families. Low-income households and middle-class families struggle not only to find a place to live, but to afford one that meets their basic needs.
In addition, mental health issues, physical challenges, and/or substance use issues exacerbate the risk of homelessness for Canadians. Those who face discrimination or oppression are also at an increased risk.
