​New report calls for bold action to solve Ontario’s housing crisis

Ontario’s housing crisis is at a breaking point, but a new report, “Built for Good: Delivering the Housing Ontario Needs,” shows there is a clear, achievable path forward — if all levels of government, the non-profit sector, and private partners act now.

Developed by United Way of Greater Toronto and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, with support from SHS Consulting, the report outlines an ambitious 10-year plan to ensure everyone in Ontario has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

The need is urgent across the province:
 

• More than 805,000 deeply-affordable housing units are required for low-income households by 2035, including 93,000 supportive housing units and 55,000 units for Indigenous households.
• An additional 145,000 moderately-affordable units are needed for moderate-income households.
• 225,000 existing affordable homes must be acquired, repaired, and maintained to prevent further loss.

The plan is practical and cost-effective. It calls for:
 

• $16.7-billion in investment by 2027.
• $62.6-billion by 2030, combining upfront capital and ongoing subsidies.
• Clear leadership, government co-ordination, and predictable funding to empower non-profit and co-op housing providers.

WHY IT MATTERS

The report stresses that housing is a public good and a shared responsibility. Without action, the crisis will worsen, costing billions in emergency shelters, health care, and lost productivity. By contrast, proactive investment will improve health, education, and economic outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Ontarians.

“The solutions are here, the expertise is here, and the time for action is now,” said Heather MacDonald, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Way of Greater Toronto. “By scaling up non-profit and co-op housing, we can deliver lasting affordability and stability for generations.”

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Tim Ross, CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (Ontario Region). “With bold leadership and targeted investment, we can build the housing Ontario actually needs.”

The full “Built for Good” report is available here.



LOCAL DATA

In 2024, Bruce County reported spending $1.5-million on homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless: povertytaskforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Housing-and-Homelessness-Plan-Progress-Report-2024-V4.pdf.

In 2024, 2,272 households applying for community housing in Grey County were looking for deeply-affordable housing: www.bgdisc.ca/post/grey-county-community-services-monthly-data-information-report

Locally, more than 3,000 households have applications into Bruce County and/or Grey County for deeply-affordable community housing.

Applicants to the United Way of Bruce Grey’s Utility Assistance Program have an average income of $22,500, demonstrating that households need deeply-affordable housing due to low income.

“In 2024, homelessness affected 375 individuals in Grey County and 109 households in Bruce County, with a significant proportion experiencing chronic homelessness,” said Jill Umbach, co-ordinator of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “Among them, are children, youth, Indigenous community members, and seniors — a stark reminder that homelessness impacts people of all ages and backgrounds across our region.”

"We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” said Francesca Dobbyn, executive director of United Way of Bruce Grey. “In Bruce Grey, as across Ontario, the housing crisis is deepening despite decades of effort. This is the moment to change course — to invest in bold, proven solutions, such as non-profit and co-operative housing, that deliver long-term affordability. If we continue with business as usual, we will continue to fail the people who need us most."