Question Period Note: Federal Homelessness Programming

What is the Government of Canada doing to address homelessness?

• This government is working to prevent and reduce homelessness in our communities by investing $5 billion in Reaching Home. Since 2019, the program has helped over 110,000 people attain more stable housing and helped over 197,000 people with homelessness prevention services.

• This is complemented by investments to address unsheltered homelessness and Veteran homelessness.

• Acknowledging that more needs to be done, this government will continue to work with communities, Indigenous partners, service providers and all levels of government to reduce homelessness.

• Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy: Launched in 2019 as part of the National Housing Strategy, this program is now a $5 billion investment over nine years, through 2027-28 (including an investment of $1 billion through Budget 2024). Reaching Home provides funding to specific communities through the Designated Communities, Indigenous Homelessness, Rural and Remote Homelessness and Territorial Homelessness streams.

• As of September 2025, Reaching Home has supported over 9,900 projects since April 2019. As a result:

  • Nearly 198,000 people received prevention services such as short-term rental assistance or landlord mediation;
  • Over 110,000 people have been assisted in attaining more stable housing;
  • Nearly 48,000 people began receiving income assistance; and
  • Over 18,000 people started new paid employment.

• The Indigenous Homelessness funding stream allocates funding directly to off reserve organizations that provide culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. The Distinctions-based Approaches stream provides dedicated funding to address specific needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals.

• Through Budget 2022, $18.1 million was invested in Action Research on Chronic Homelessness through 2024-25. Project extensions have been approved for three projects, allowing their work to continue through 2025-26.

• Veteran Homelessness Program: The Services and Supports Stream provides up to $72.9 million in funding for rent supplements and wrap-around services and the Capacity Building Stream provides up to $6.2 million in funding to support research on Veteran homelessness and capacity building. 34 projects are in place.

• Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative: Budget 2024 announced $250 million over two years through 2025-26 to address the urgent issue of unsheltered homelessness. Cost-matched funding agreements have been signed with eight provinces, the three territories, as well as with municipalities in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

• Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund: As part of the Budget 2024 investment in Reaching Home, $50 million is allocated to help communities develop innovative projects to prevent homelessness and accelerate new homes for people experiencing homelessness. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness will distribute $45 million to communities and has launched its first two calls for proposals to select projects. The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will collaborate on strategies to implement this funding in Quebec.

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