In the News

Steve, 58, has lived at Wiigiwaaminaan Lodge for four months, trying to make his small room feel like home with sweetgrass and his beadwork. After years of hardship—including a difficult childhood, job loss, and addiction—he says the Indigenous-led shelter has given him “his life back.” Emotional healing has come through cultural practices such as sweat […]

Housing advocates in Sudbury warn that “cash for keys” agreements—where landlords pay tenants to vacate—are worsening long-term homelessness. While payouts of $3,000 to $5,000 may seem appealing, Homelessness Network coordinator Raymond Landry says recipients quickly fall behind because Sudbury’s low vacancy rates and high rents make the money insufficient. Many people offered these deals already

Homelessness in Saskatoon has risen sharply, with the latest point-in-time count on Oct. 16 identifying 1,931 people without stable housing—a 30 per cent increase from 2023 and more than triple the 550 recorded in 2022. Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand called the trend alarming, emphasizing that poverty and the rising cost of living are

Edmonton has selected affordable housing providers to build roughly 1,300 new homes on 10 former surplus school sites, Mayor Andrew Knack announced. About 70 per cent of the units—around 925 homes—will fall within the city’s affordable housing spectrum, including supportive, social, and below-market rental or ownership options. The developments will be built within the original

New Brunswick is seeing a revival of housing co-operatives, with three new co-ops in Fredericton, Sackville, and a northern community preparing plans for about 200 units. Tim Ross of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada says this marks renewed government commitment after decades of limited investment since the early 1990s. Co-ops remain significantly more affordable

Smithers, B.C., a town of 5,500, drew more than 8,000 views to a town-hall livestream as residents debated a new emergency shelter. Mayor Gladys Atrill acknowledged concerns, emphasizing that the shelter is a temporary measure and not a long-term solution. Similar tensions are emerging across smaller B.C. communities facing rising homelessness. Sidney council recently rejected

Kyle Harbin, 40, moved from a private shelter into a supported-living house in St. John’s run by 3 Birds Housing Solutions, hoping for stability through a Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation–funded program for people with complex needs. He pays $700 in rent directly from his income support, leaving him reliant on food banks. In October,

Saskatchewan plans to invest up to $20 million over the next three years to expand supports for a growing homeless population, Social Services Minister Terry Jenson announced alongside Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski. The funding will increase the Provincial Approach To Homelessness (PATH) program, launched in 2023 with $40.3 million. Jenson said allocations will vary by

Halifax will shift its homelessness strategy from supporting outdoor encampments to moving people indoors, after staff reported that there are now enough temporary indoor spaces for most individuals sleeping rough. Council unanimously approved a new 2026–28 framework that will close the city’s last two designated encampments within two years, tighten site rules, and use real-time

On Monday, Winnipeg bylaw officers cleared two encampments on the first day of new city restrictions targeting homeless sites. Crews dismantled a long-standing encampment at Pacific Avenue and Ellen Street, and another behind Montana’s Restaurant on Empress Street near Omand’s Creek. Outreach workers assisted residents before cleanup, ensuring all four people accepted housing placements. City