Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has pledged to end homeless encampments, calling them Premier Doug Ford’s “greatest failure.” She outlined her party’s plan but did not say how much it would cost.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario estimates over 80,000 people were homeless last year and that $11 billion over 10 years is needed to end chronic homelessness.
Before calling the Feb. 27 snap election, Ford’s government promised up to $75.5 million to help municipalities clear encampments by expanding shelters and affordable housing. Stiles argued this funding would not fix the issue, saying people are simply moving from one encampment to another.
She said encampments have become “the new normal” under Ford and blamed him for failures in housing, health care, jobs, and affordability.
If elected, an NDP government would build 60,000 supportive housing units, cover shelter costs for municipalities, and double social assistance rates.
Written by Jeremy Hall