Jamie Facciolo
Director of Development and Homelessness Initiatives at Homes First
Imagine working your entire life, only to find yourself facing eviction and the possibility of homelessness in your golden years. Where would you turn for help? Unfortunately, for thousands of Canadian seniors living in Canada, this is not just hypothetical: it’s their reality.
Homes First has provided homes and essential support services to seniors, families, and single adults for nearly 40 years. Our sector has noticed a steady rise in the number of seniors experiencing homelessness in our city. Some have been in and out of homelessness their entire lives; now, the pandemic, inflation, and some of the highest housing costs we’ve seen in years have led to many seniors becoming homeless for the first time in their life.
Homelessness can happen for many reasons. If you’re on disability support from the Ontario government, your monthly income is approximately $1,200 — the total for both rent and living costs in Canada’s most expensive city. Other leading causes for older adults include:
- A lack of savings.
- A shortage of affordable housing.
- Deteriorating mental and physical health and even the loss of a spouse.
In addition to housing affordability, age-appropriate support services are essential for older adults to maintain their housing and independence.
Statistics Canada predicts that by 2030 a quarter of Canadian residents will be seniors. Toronto’s senior population has more than doubled in the last five years. Sadly, Canada does not have the infrastructure or enough age-appropriate services in place to support this vulnerable growing segment of our population. An alarming number of seniors lack adequate family or community support. Many seniors who can no longer afford to live on their own are forced to give up their homes and end up on the streets.
Statistics Canada predicts that by 2030 a quarter of Canadian residents will be seniors. Toronto’s senior population has more than doubled in the last five years. Sadly, Canada does not have the infrastructure or enough age-appropriate services in place to support this vulnerable growing segment of our population. An alarming number of seniors lack adequate family or community support. Many seniors who can no longer afford to live on their own are forced to give up their homes and end up on the streets.
In Toronto, over 2,500 seniors accessed emergency shelters in the first four months of 2022 alone. This critical issue demands our attention and requires a specialized approach. We need to act now.
Our goal at Homes First is to move seniors from homelessness to “homefullness.” To be “Homefull,” seniors need more than a roof over their heads. They need support in accessing the services available to help them thrive. They need connection, community and compassion. With the support of our community, we are helping our seniors’ journey to homefullness by building a centralized community kitchen for an in-house food delivery program, a specialized health-care team to aid with virtual and in person appointments and enhanced social and recreation programming to lower isolation, which is strongly linked to increased health risks. Building a Homefull Toronto means creating a city full of homes and hope. It requires all of us to come together with generosity and commitment. If you give $30 or more toward our Homefull for The Holidays campaign, you will receive a limited edition Homefull Ornament!
