FACT SHEET
Supporting people
who are homeless
A way to weather change.
Without jobs or even a place to live, Peter and Crystal
were in need of assistance: finding affordable shelter through the cold winter, as well as food and jobsearch support. Thankfully, because of your generosity, people who are homeless or at-risk can rely on
United Way–funded agencies like Fred Victor Centre.
It helped the couple in countless ways, including a
drop-in clothing bank that provided proper outdoor
gear, as well as blankets for their under-heated apartment. Peter’s gratitude is evident. His eyes and smile
light up whenever he shows off his new warm and
watertight boots.
GOAL
To help people find and keep affordable
housing, and to ensure that community
agencies can meet the urgent needs
of those who are homeless or at-risk of
homelessness.
TRENDS
Stable and adequate housing is critical for
an independent and healthy life. In Toronto,
however, some 5,000 people find themselves
homeless on any given night. In 2013, it
was estimated that over 27,000 individuals
will use the shelter system in Toronto
over the course of a year. With challenges
related to finding and maintaining jobs,
and given today’s steadily increasing rent
costs, many simply can’t afford proper
FAST FACTS
In Toronto, people living in shelters, on
the streets or in health, treatment and
correctional facilities have been homeless
for an average of three years.
Life expectancy (compared to the general
Canadian population) is 10.8 years shorter
for men living in shelters; 8.2 years shorter
for women. Nearly 30% of homeless people
who use Toronto’s shelters and meal
programs have been a victim of physical
assault in the past year.
Nearly 50% of homeless people who use
Toronto’s shelters and meal programs have
a monthly income of less than $500.
In 2012, over $1 million in wages was paid
to participants of the Toronto Enterprise
Fund, which connects marginalized people
(including people who are homeless or
at risk of homelessness) to meaningful
employment opportunities.
housing. Regardless, subsidized housing isn’t
always available: as of March 31, 2014, 78,388
households were on the city’s social-housing
waiting list. People who are homeless also face
isolation, violence and limited or no access to
health care, which make it even harder to find
and maintain appropriate housing.
STRATEGY
We are addressing urgent and long-term
housing needs by providing support to shelter
programs—and to services related to finding and
maintaining housing. We also invest in programs
that reduce social isolation, promote mental
health and encourage independent life skills
among those who are homeless. Through these
community-based programs, many vulnerable
citizens were able to meet their basic needs and
build the skills they need to live with dignity.
IMPACT
How your generosity helps
$70 provides one homeless man with
three employment-counselling sessions.
$165 provides one night at a shelter
(including meals and counselling) for a woman
or child who is a victim of domestic violence.
$350 provides a week’s laundry service
for 65 homeless people, promoting good
health and lowering the risk of communicable
diseases.
$800 provides four homeless youth
(who dropped out of school) the assistance
they need to achieve their high-school
diploma equivalency.