Secondly, Toronto should consider the Housing First program, which involves the provision of permanent, private housing units to qualifying individuals. The Housing First program can produce housing for homeless persons with serious mental illnesses (Aquin et al., 2017). However, Housing First does not cater to the episodically homeless people. Therefore, City officials should also cater to episodically homeless individuals to shorten their dependence on social assistance. The provision of affordable housing will prevent exposing such individuals from environments that prolong their homelessness. City officials should ensure at-risk individuals are stably housed and given opportunities to lead engaged and productive lives. Other support programs that can alleviate Toronto’s homeless crisis include increased social assistance, provision of affordable housing, provision of subsidized housing, and assisting migrants with settlement and immigration issues (Gaetz, 2010).
Finally, Gaetz et al. (2016) assert that addressing homelessness requires recommendations that are specific to each priority population. For instance, youth homelessness is a critical priority that can be resolved through programs such as Housing First for Youth. Secondly, Gaetz (2010) suggests that emergency shelters should be tailored to deal with the rising number of veterans, many of whom are episodically and chronically homeless. Thirdly, Gaetz et al. (2016) posit that political, social, and financial backing by the federal government is required to end Indigenous homelessness in Canada. Homeless shelters should also consider offering mental healthcare services for the homeless at emergency centers. Aquin et al. (2017) observe that emotional and social support are significant protective factors against suicidal ideation more than instrumental support. In particular, mental health physicians should focus on individuals who have recently become homeless.
The growing number of homeless individuals in Toronto, including refugees, asylum claimants, and extremely poor individuals, has created a homelessness problem in the city. Homelessness in Toronto has been on the rise in the last few decades due to the federal government’s disinvestment in affordable housing, reduced spending on social support, structural shifts in the economy, and an increase in refugees entering Canada. Homelessness is a life event that profoundly affects a person’s mental and physical outcomes, especially at-risk persons such as refugees, children, and the elderly. Unfortunately, a review of Toronto’s city housing illustrates that the high number of homeless individuals has created an unsustainable situation for the city, whereby city resources cannot sufficiently house the homeless. The federal government should continue with its renewed interest to adequately fund provincial governments if it aims for Canada to remain a safe, welcoming, and accessible place for migrants and asylum seekers. Moreover, the insufficiency of shelter services calls upon relevant stakeholders to develop policies that provide disadvantaged groups of people with safe, affordable, and accessible housing as a way to promote positive mental and physical health outcomes