Community Debrief and Call to Action: Ottawa’s participation in 20,000 Homes

In 2014, over 6,500 individuals experienced homelessness in Ottawa – sleeping at some point during the year at one of our community’s emergency overnight shelters. Many were there for weeks and months. Permanent, safe, appropriate and affordable housing solutions, with the support necessary to sustain them, are urgently needed.

This resource provides results of the survey findings that was part of a nationwide campaign to house 20,000 people by July 2018. Volunteers surveyed people experiencing homelessness in Ottawa to identify those most in need of immediate housing assistance.

Some of the findings:

  • 3.7 — years on average those surveyed had spent homeless
  • 43% of homeless are 26-49 years old
  • 28%  of homeless are 16-25 years old
  • 30% of homeless ­identify as aboriginal
  • 63% of youth surveyed had been homeless for six or more months
Publication Date: 
2015
Location: 
Ottawa, ON, Canada