New details released about who is experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region

A new report is shedding light on how many people are struggling with homelessness in Waterloo Region. CTV’s Heather Senoran breaks down the numbers.

A new report to regional council reveals more details about the age and genders of the homeless population.

In October 2024, a point in time count found 2,371 people were experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region. That number doubled since the last count in 2021.

At a regional council meeting Tuesday, there was a further breakdown of the numbers.

Of the 2,371 people flagged as unhoused, 1,790 people filled out a survey. The survey found 78 per cent of respondents were experiencing chronic homelessness, which means being homeless for more than six months. The majority, 77 per cent, were between the ages 25 and 55. The report showed 16 per cent were older than 55 while 7 per cent was younger than 25. More than half, 64 per cent, identified as men and 34 per cent identified as women.

When it comes to where they stay, 41 per cent admitted to living rough, which means either on the street, at an encampment or in their car. Meanwhile 25 per cent said they stayed at an emergency shelter and 20 per cent experienced hidden homelessness, where they stay at a friend’s or family member’s place.

The region said youth are often experiencing hidden homelessness.

“We know that the younger a youth experiences homelessness, the more likely they are to experience homelessness into adulthood,” said Chris McEvoy, Manager of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

The Plan To End Chronic Homelessness (PECH) team stressed prevention for all ages is key.

“A major component of ending chronic homelessness is reducing inflow into, or preventing, chronic homelessness and supporting outflow or supporting people into permanent housing,” said Jennifer Gordon, a PECH manager.

While homelessness continues to rise in the region, staff admitted there’s been a change of pace in the last year.

“The number of experiences of chronic homelessness continue to increase, but not at the same level and pace as prior,” McEvoy said.

The region said it would to take a collaborative effort between PECH, The Waterloo Region Housing Revitalization Plan (WRH) and Building Better Futures (BBF), the region’s affordable housing strategy, to make significant change possible.

“BBF will create and preserve 3,500 affordable homes, 60 per cent for very low to low-income households by 2030. And WRH will continue to redevelop six sites to create at least 600 net new units,” said Gordon.

The long-term goal is to move the needle towards a functional zero, which means three or less people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Staff are expected to return to council in September with more updates on the state of homelessness ahead of the regional budget process.