AMO Report on Homelessness Underscores Ongoing Issues in Chatham-Kent

This week, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) released a comprehensive study on the increasing toll of homelessness on individuals, families, communities, and governments in Ontario.

The AMO study states that “Ontario is at a tipping point in its homelessness crisis. More than 80,000 Ontarians were known to be homeless in 2024, a number that has grown by more than 25 per cent since 2022. Without significant intervention, homelessness in Ontario could double in the next decade, and reach nearly 300,000 people in an economic downturn.”

Locally, people experiencing homelessness in Chatham-Kent has increased by 171% since 2019. In December 2019, Chatham-Kent officials knew of 84 people who were experiencing homelessness. As of January 2025, that number has grown to around 228 people.

Currently, there are between 75 and 100 people who are staying in encampments throughout the Municipality. There are currently ten known encampment locations, however this number changes frequently.

Hope Haven, a local non-profit drop-in centre focused on providing assistance to those experiencing homelessness is seeing approximately 50 people per night for warming services and approximately 30 of them stay for the entire evening. Victoria Park Place is currently at 86% capacity (38 clients), but this also changes daily.

The waitlist for community housing is now at a record high of 1,352 households. The estimated wait time is 10 years.

There are many reasons why homelessness is increasing and why housing alone will not solve this crisis. Housing with appropriate supports is needed; however, poverty is driving new people into homelessness daily because of frozen Ontario Works rates and inadequate Ontario Disability rates.

2019-2024 Data comparison

Social Assistance Income

2019

2024

Increase

OW

$733

$733

0%

ODSP

$1,169

$1,368

17%

-Number of CK households on Ontario Works has increased by 18% during this time to 2,331 CK households.

 

The average asking rent in Chatham-Kent has doubled. The average for a 1-bedroom apartment has increased by 115% more than double the total monthly income of the 1,400 single applicants receiving Ontario Works.

2019

2024

Increase

$816

$1,759

115%

 

Municipal staff, Council, and local advocacy groups continue to lobby the Provincial and Federal governments for increased funding, additional resources, and expanded programs to help with this expanding issue. Municipal Council has recently approved additional supports that include:

  • Hope Haven overnight warming centre.
  • Increasing ROCK outreach services to 7 days a week.
  • Approving the transition from congregate shelters to Transitional cabins.

Affordable and Supportive Housing remains a Municipal priority and staff and partners will continue to respond with urgency to this growing challenge.

The full release from AMO can be found here: www.amo.on.ca/policy/health-emergency-and-social-services/amo-launches-groundbreaking-homelessness-study-ontario  

-Ends-

Contact

Eric Labadie

Manager, Corporate Communications

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

ericl@chatham-kent.ca