安大略省目前正面臨嚴重的無家可歸危機，情況已經接近臨界點。據安大略省市政協會（AMO）發佈的最新報告顯示，安大略省記錄在案的無家可歸者人數已接近10萬人，尤其是在該省南部地區的增長最為明顯。報告指出，去年全省共有超過81,000人無家可歸，與2016年的約53,000人相比，增加51%，自2022年以來也上升25%。值得注意的是，這些無家可歸者中約有一半被歸類為長期無家可歸者，意味著他們要麼多次無家可歸，要麼長期處於無家可歸狀態。

AMO在報告中強調，這一資料反映出福特政府在處理無家可歸者及住房問題上的政策存在嚴重不足，需要進行大規模改革。儘管各地市政府已經盡力介入，通過有限資源嘗試緩解社區的無家可歸問題，但省政府和聯邦政府的責任落實不夠，資源投入不足。市政協會估計，地方政府為解決無家可歸問題及住房問題已投入約21億加元，資金多來自於地方財產稅收入。然而，省政府去年宣佈的5000萬加元撥款僅占當地解決無家可歸問題總資金的3%，雖然值得肯定，但遠遠不夠。

面對無家可歸者數量持續攀升的壓力，福特政府不斷受到大城市市長及市政協會的呼籲，要求重新評估解決無家可歸者和住房問題的方針。當地領導人特別提出，應任命一位新的內閣部長來監督跨部門協調的策略，涵蓋住房、心理健康、成癮問題及其他相關因素。去年年底，安大略省政府在壓力下宣佈了應對無家可歸者營地的計畫，承諾提供資金以改善無家可歸者狀況，並賦予員警新的權力，同時對未能妥善處理所在城市無家可歸者安置點的地方服務管理人員施加壓力。此舉顯示，政府正試圖通過財政支持和執法手段解決危機，但根本性的政策改革仍然迫切需要。

Ontario is currently facing a severe homelessness crisis, with the situation approaching a critical point. According to the latest report released by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the number of recorded homeless individuals in the province is nearing 100,000, with the most significant increases occurring in the southern regions. The report shows that over 81,000 people experienced homelessness in Ontario last year, a 51% increase from approximately 53,000 in 2016, and a 25% rise since 2022. Notably, about half of these homeless individuals are classified as chronically homeless, meaning they have either experienced repeated episodes of homelessness or have been without a home for an extended period.

The AMO emphasized that these figures highlight serious shortcomings in the Ford government’s policies addressing homelessness and housing, indicating a need for large-scale reforms. While municipal governments have attempted to intervene and address community homelessness with limited resources, both provincial and federal responsibilities have been insufficiently fulfilled. Municipalities have spent approximately CAD 2.1 billion on homelessness and housing issues, largely funded through local property taxes. However, the province’s recent allocation of CAD 50 million only accounts for 3% of the total local funds dedicated to addressing homelessness—commendable but far from adequate.

Facing rising homelessness, the Ford government continues to face pressure from mayors and municipal associations in major cities to fundamentally reassess its approach to homelessness and housing. Local leaders have specifically called for the appointment of a new cabinet minister to oversee a coordinated, cross-departmental strategy that addresses housing, mental health, addiction, and other contributing factors. In response to sustained pressure, the Ontario government announced a plan last year to address homeless encampments, pledging financial support to improve conditions and granting police new powers, while also pressuring local service managers who fail to manage homeless settlements effectively. While these measures indicate an attempt to address the crisis through funding and enforcement, comprehensive policy reforms remain urgently needed.