A new report from the Shelter Housing Justice Network (SHJN) and the Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union (TUHU) condemns Toronto’s handling of homelessness, citing 766 deaths over the past three years. Toronto Public Health reported 135 homeless deaths in the first half of 2024, with drug toxicity as the leading cause. The city also revised previous data, now confirming 331 deaths in 2022 and 300 in 2023.
At a media conference moderated by outreach worker Greg Cook, advocates and people with lived experience, including Lynn Walker and Jennifer Jewell, outlined the severe risks faced by unhoused individuals—especially those with disabilities. The report presents 29 demands for immediate action, including 24/7 warming centers and expanded rent-geared-to-income housing.
Walker, who lived in encampments for two years, described losing friends to violence and extreme cold. Jewell, a wheelchair user, highlighted the inaccessibility of shelters and housing. Advocates are also calling for an updated Ontario Building Code to ensure truly accessible housing.
This crisis is particularly urgent for marginalized communities in Toronto’s Downtown East, including Regent Park, where poverty, housing instability, and health disparities disproportionately affect residents. Without immediate policy changes, the city risks further neglecting those most in need. Addressing homelessness is not just about numbers—it’s about protecting lives and ensuring dignity for all Torontonians.