Summary#

Bill 28, the Homelessness Ends with Housing Act, 2025, would create a new Ontario law. It would require the provincial government to maintain a homelessness strategy that aims to eliminate homelessness within 10 years; that is a goal, not a guaranteed result. The Act would start on Royal Assent.

• The strategy’s objectives would include better data, housing affordability, more supportive housing, increased funding for the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, and a “housing-first” approach (moving people into permanent housing without preconditions).
• The Minister would have to establish an advisory committee within 90 days. It could have up to 11 members and must include people from housing advocacy groups and people who have experienced homelessness.
• The Minister would have to publish a report every year, including required counts of people who are unhoused, deaths among them, people who become unhoused again, and available supportive, transitional, and deeply affordable rental units.
• “Deeply affordable” means rent of no more than 30 per cent of the renter’s gross income.

What it means for you#

• People experiencing homelessness: The bill sets strategy objectives, but does not give individuals a right to housing, require a particular home to be provided, or set a process for getting housing or support.
• Housing advocacy groups and people who have experienced homelessness: The Minister must ensure the committee includes members from these groups. The Minister must make reasonable efforts to have the committee reflect the diversity of people experiencing homelessness.
• Ontario government: It would have to design, implement and maintain the strategy, establish the committee, and publish annual reports. The bill does not set specific housing targets or say how the strategy must be carried out.
• General public: Annual public reports would provide information on homelessness and housing units. The bill does not directly change rent rules, taxes, or existing eligibility for housing benefits.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

• The strategy’s objectives include increasing funding for the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, but the bill gives no amount or timetable and does not itself appropriate funds.
• The committee and annual reports would require administration, but no staffing or cost estimate is provided.

What is unclear#

• The bill does not define “homelessness” or “unhoused,” or explain how the required counts would be made.
• It does not say whether the strategy’s objectives require specific actions, targets, or spending, or how progress toward the 10-year goal will be measured.
• It does not specify how much housing or benefit funding would be added, or how new housing would be delivered.
• It does not set rules for committee appointments beyond membership requirements, or say how the government must respond to the committee’s recommendations.
• It does not explain how homelessness data would be collected, checked, or protected.

Case for#

• A required strategy, public reporting, and advice from people with lived experience could give the government a more accountable way to address homelessness.
• The objectives connect housing with data, supportive housing, portable benefits, and a housing-first approach rather than setting a goal without naming priorities.
• Reporting deaths, repeat homelessness, and available housing units could help show where the problem is changing or where gaps remain.

Case against#

• The 10-year goal is not matched by binding housing targets, a spending commitment, or a required plan with specific steps.
• Without definitions and a stated counting method, the annual figures may not give a clear or consistent picture of homelessness.
• The bill does not specify how much benefit funding or supportive housing is needed, so key objectives could remain broad.
• The committee can make recommendations, but the bill does not require the government to accept them or explain what happens if recommendations are not followed.