Northern Ont. mayors demand $435M to fix housing, health crisis

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Northern Ont. mayors seek $435M as region's homelessness soars

Northern Ontario homelessness crisis far outpaces province: report

Northern Ontario homelessness spikes, mayors demand province act

Mayors from Northern Ontario’s largest cities have issued a collective warning: the escalating homelessness crisis is a direct threat to the region’s workforce, healthcare systems and economic viability.

The Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors’ call to action is backed by a new report revealing that homelessness in the North is projected to more than double by 2035 without intervention, placing unsustainable pressure on emergency services and local labour markets. The solution, they argue, lies in a targeted, integrated annual investment of $435 million – an amount equating to just 1.3 cents for every dollar of northern Ontario’s $34.6 billion economy.

The analysis, Protecting Northern Ontario for 1.3 cents on the dollar, was developed by HelpSeeker Technologies in partnership with the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association and the Canadian Mental Health Association. It finds that while northern Ontario represents five per cent of Ontario’s population, it now accounts for nearly 10 per cent of all known homelessness in the province.

Distinct, growing crisis of the north

The data underscores a crisis accelerating at an alarming rate distinct from provincial trends. From 2024 to 2025 alone, the number of people experiencing homelessness in northern Ontario rose by 37 per cent, compared to 7.8 per cent provincially. Since 2021, homelessness in the north has increased by approximately 117 per cent, more than double the provincial rate.

Compounding the housing emergency are severe parallel health challenges. Mental health and substance-related emergency department visits occur at two to four times the provincial average, driving higher system costs and straining already limited healthcare capacity across vast geographies.

“This isn’t a housing-only problem and it can’t be solved with housing alone,” said Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.

“Northern Ontario faces significantly higher rates of mental health and substance-related harms, longer distances between services and fewer alternatives when systems fail. The investment outlined in this report reflects the reality that housing stability and health outcomes are inseparable in the North.”

Case for integration: Beyond building units

The mayors emphasized that the solution must integrate housing with wraparound health and social supports, an approach that differentiates their proposal from broader provincial housing investments. The report models that simply building units is insufficient for the region’s complex needs.

“Simply building units without addressing mental health and addictions does not deliver durable outcomes in northern Ontario,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.

“Our geography, service delivery realities and health pressures require a different approach — and this report shows that integrated investments are both more effective and more fiscally responsible.”

The promise of this integrated model is significant. Under a fully funded scenario, the report projects homelessness in northern Ontario could decline to approximately 3,700 people by 2035 – a 78 per cent reduction compared to the status quo projection of nearly 17,000 people.

Economic imperative for northern growth

Framing the appeal not just in social terms but as an economic necessity, the mayors argued that the stability of northern communities is foundational to Ontario’s larger growth plans in sectors like mining, critical minerals and energy.

“When people can’t access stable housing or the right health supports, the impacts show up everywhere – in emergency rooms, paramedic response times and our ability to attract and retain workers,” said Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

“This report confirms what communities like ours experience every day: integrated housing and health investments reduce pressure on emergency systems and strengthen the local workforce.”

The mayors positioned the investment as essential infrastructure for securing the region’s prosperity.

“This is about economic protection,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff.

“Northern Ontario is central to Ontario’s growth strategies… Those plans depend on whether communities can house and support the workforce required to deliver them.”

Unified call for northern-specific approach

The coalition has urged the provincial government to recognize the distinct realities of the North and align housing investments with necessary health supports. They contend this path is the only way to ensure long-term stability, lower public costs and enable sustainable economic growth.

“In North Bay, we see firsthand how housing instability and unmet mental health and addictions needs ripple through every part of the community,” said Mayor Peter Chirico.

“This report makes it clear that integrated housing and health investments aren’t just compassionate solutions, they’re practical, cost-effective and critical paths forward to protecting northern Ontario’s economic future.”