FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2025
Queen’s Park— Today, Lee Fairclough, MPP for Etobicoke–Lakeshore and Ontario Liberal Critic for Homelessness, will debate Bill 28, Homelessness Ends with Housing Act, co-sponsored with Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy.
The bill calls on the Ford government to design and implement a strategy to end homelessness within 10 years.
“Over 80,000 people in Ontario are currently without housing. This number is expected to surge to 300,000 by 2035 if this government fails to act,” said MPP Fairclough. “This is not a challenge municipalities and property taxpayers can solve on their own. The province must lead.”
Fairclough emphasized that homelessness impacts people across all walks of life, from seniors facing unmanageable rent increases to students struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Think of the people losing their homes, living in cars, or making impossible choices between feeding their children or keeping a roof over their heads,” said Fairclough. “The scale of this challenge requires all of us who are privileged to serve as legislators and policymakers across party lines to come together and find real solutions.”
“No matter what the situation is, whether someone lives these realities day to day or cares about their neighbours increasingly experiencing homelessness – Everyone agrees we need to do better and it’s time for a plan.” said MPP Aislinn Clancy.
Recent surveys show three in five Canadians worry they could lose their housing if their financial situation changes. Fairclough said this underscores the urgency of coordinated cross-party action and a housing-first approach that prioritizes permanent homes.
This is not just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. A month in hospital costs the public system around $60,000, and a month in prison costs taxpayers $15,000. Emergency shelters cost roughly $6,000 per month per person. In contrast, supportive housing such as Toronto’s Dunn House costs about $4,000 per resident monthly and has already saved local hospitals over $1.6 million by reducing emergency visits.
Stable housing helps people manage health issues, overcome addiction, and find stable employment. We have the data, we have the roadmaps, and we know Housing First works. All that is needed is for the Ontario government to take clear and decisive action.
We call on MPPs from all parties to work together and support this bill to address one of the most pressing challenges facing communities today.
Media Contact:
Lorne Levy
(416) 931-8384