July 18, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A new report by the John Howard Society of Ontario, titled “From Incarceration to Encampment,” reveals a troubling trend: thousands of people are released from Ontario jails each year with no place to go.
In 2023–2024 alone, there were 7,455 instances of people being released into homelessness. Often, they are given little more than a bus token and no plan. One such person, Dan, described spending his first night out of jail wandering the streets before finding space in an encampment. “There’s no plan,” he said. “People don’t accept me.”
Without stable housing, rebuilding life becomes nearly impossible. People struggle to keep appointments, hold onto jobs, or even maintain something as simple as a phone. Dan believes that transitional housing, like federally supported halfway houses, would provide much-needed stability.
The report argues that jail and homelessness are deeply connected. Without proper support after release, individuals often end up back on the streets — or back in jail. This creates a revolving door that harms both individuals and society.
The report calls on the Ontario government to:
- Create transitional housing
- Protect benefits like OW and ODSP for incarcerated individuals
- Reduce rental discrimination against people with criminal records
The Ontario government says it’s reviewing the report and is investing $75.5 million into homelessness initiatives, including over 1,200 units of supportive housing and 28 recovery hubs.
Experts say the answer is clear: supportive housing is critical. Without it, the cycle of incarceration and homelessness will continue.
Loading ...
