Canada’s housing shortage, rising rents, and soaring prices have pushed affordability to a breaking point. Too many people in Canada report struggling to meet their basic needs, particularly for food, as high housing costs drive demand for support—211 helpline data shows housing-related contacts rose by 43% from 2021 to 2023. As a national network of local community experts, United Way Centraides are working on innovative solutions locally and advocating for systemic change.

Canada’s Housing Crisis

There are a number of ways in which homelessness is described, including unsheltered, emergency sheltered, provisionally accommodated, affecting at least 35,000 people on any given night and impacting over 235,000 annually. The National Housing Strategy aims to reduce chronic homelessness by 2030, but significant gaps remain, especially for Indigenous and marginalized communities. Public spaces, like libraries, are serving as front-line responders to the housing crisis, providing essential supports to homeless people seeking relief from harsh weather conditions such as cold, heat, rain, and snow, in a safe indoor space.

United Way Centraides’ Response

United Way Centraides work in partnership with more than 4,770 unique community service organizations delivering essential services helping to create an equitable future for all.  Our national network of United Way Centraides mobilizes over $600 million annually to support basic needs to over 8 million people within 5,000 communities.  This year, United Way Centraides have invested $37M in housing and shelter across the country, including more than $20M in housing related assistance programs and $10M in emergency and transitional shelter. Over 382,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness will be able to access supports because of this investment. The 211 helpline connects people to housing and other important services. Five United Way Centraides play a direct role in the implementation of the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. By stewarding federal investment, these United Way Centraides support a network of local agencies that offer essential services to individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Here are four key areas where United Way Centraides are making an impact:

1. Investing in Homelessness Solutions:
   United Way Centraides fund non-profits and charities that implement prevention programs, street outreach, emergency shelters, Housing First initiatives, and harm reduction strategies.
2. Building Capacity in Communities:
   By providing training, resources, and forums, United Way Centraides help organizations enhance their effectiveness in addressing homelessness.
3. Leading Collaborative Initiatives:
   United Way Centraides bring together community partners to collaborate on innovative solutions. Through initiatives like affordable and supportive housing projects and community development corporations, United Way Centraides foster collective efforts to address gaps and emerging needs in housing and homelessness.
4. Driving Systemic Change:
   United Way Centraides advocate for policy change at local, provincial, and national levels. By consulting on housing-related policies, conducting research, and raising public awareness, United Way Centraides are working to transform systems and create long-term solutions for homelessness in Canada.

Spotlight on United Way Maritimes, Greater Toronto, and Perth-Huron

United Way Maritimes: Expanding Housing and Community Solutions

In the past year, United Way Maritimes has expanded its affordable housing initiatives beyond the Halifax Regional Municipality. A new Affordable Housing Division has been created to address gaps in the housing continuum, with some of the key initiatives including:

• Community-Led Advisory Committee: Supporting the Halifax Affordable Housing Community Land Trust.

• Shannon Park Development: Partnering with Canada Lands to build 3,000 affordable units.Tiny Home Units: Managing 60 affordable supportive units in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.

• Rural Shared Equity Homeownership & Affordable Rentals: Developing 47 units, including shared equity homeownership options in Nova Scotia.

• Additionally, The Sunnyside Tiny Home Community is a supportive affordable housing community project in Saint John, New Brunswick, fundraising for and developing a new tiny home community in east Saint John. United Way will be the owner/operator.

United Way Greater Toronto: The Community Real Estate Initiative

In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), United Way Greater Toronto’s $100 million Community Real Estate Initiative protects essential community spaces and housing options with:

• Community Hubs: 10 hubs across Peel, Toronto, and York over the next decade.
• Funding and Grants: $1.8 million in grants for local organizations, plus alternative financing options.
• Capacity-Building Programs: Training in real estate management through a partnership with the University of Toronto.

United Way Perth-Huron: United Housing’s Impact in Listowel

In Perth and Huron counties, United Housing, United Way’s non-profit arm, is converting a historic Listowel building into 10 affordable units with:

• Mixed-Use Development: Maintaining commercial spaces alongside affordable units.
• Community Bond Campaign: Raising $2.5 million for social and financial returns through community investment.

Future plans include 40 more units and additional projects in Stratford, aiming to meet regional needs by 2030.

Advocacy for Long-Term Solutions

United Way Centraides focus on both immediate relief and long-term solutions to end homelessness. United Way Centraide Canada’s 2025 pre-budget submission advocates for increased federal support for affordable housing, permanent funding for homelessness prevention, and Indigenous-led housing strategies, particularly in rural areas.

Housing is a human right, not a commodity. United Way Centraides are committed to ensuring that everyone has a place to call home and live safely and securely.