Newcomers and Immigration

The Challenge

Newcomers to Canada need access to affordable housing to settle successfully, however, increasing numbers of newcomers experience housing affordability problems. This is especially true in large urban areas where newcomers to Canada are concentrating. Newcomers often spend far more of their income on housing than people born in Canada and long waiting lists for social housing often put affordable housing out of reach. This puts newcomers at a high risk of becoming homeless.

Homeless immigrants are more likely to be hidden homeless, staying with friends and family. As a result, homelessness among newcomers is less visible, particularly in the suburbs of major cities.

Our Response