Facts and Sources: Homelessness, Mental Health, and Community Safety
The issues facing our downtown are complex, and thoughtful solutions must be grounded in evidence. These are some of the statistics and sources that have informed my perspective.
By the Numbers
Homelessness in Durham Region
604 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Durham Region in 2024, including 303 people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Source: https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/resources/IEHSD/DurhamRegion_PiT-Report_R3_DigitalVersion.pdf
People Experiencing Homelessness Are Often Working
Research shows that 16% of homeless individuals and 28% of homeless families include at least one working adult.
Many people experiencing homelessness work in part-time, temporary, seasonal, or low-wage jobs but still cannot secure stable housing.
Source: https://homelesshub.ca/blog/2016/how-many-people-experiencing-homelessness-are-employed/
Mental Health and Substance Use
National data indicates that:
59% of people experiencing homelessness report mental health challenges.
60% report substance use challenges.
Nearly half experience both simultaneously.
Veterans and Homelessness
Veterans experiencing homelessness report:
61% experiencing mental health challenges.
63% experiencing substance use challenges.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Research suggests that 50–53% of people experiencing homelessness have experienced a traumatic brain injury, with approximately one in four experiencing a moderate or severe injury.
Why These Facts Matter
Homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction already cost our communities money through emergency services, policing, hospitals, courts, shelters, and crisis responses.
The question is not whether taxpayers pay a price. The question is whether we invest in approaches that help people recover and rebuild their lives, or whether we continue paying for systems that manage crises without addressing their causes.
Compassion and public safety are not competing values. Strong communities require both.
Understanding the facts allows us to move beyond blame and toward solutions that are evidence-based, humane, and effective.