Beyond encampments: an evidence-based path to solving Canada's homelessness crisis
Abstract
Homeless encampments have become a permanent fixture of the Canadian landscape, from large urban centers to small towns and remote communities. This reality reflects a national crisis with an estimated 67,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with regional rates as high as 27 per 10,000 people in Central Canada.1 The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically expanded homeless encampments, as people experiencing unsheltered homelessness surged by 107%, contributing to a 79% increase in overall homelessness on a given night.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Homelessness and Social Issues
Social Issues and Policies
Leadership
Human Resources
Global Affairs
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 55
- Pages
- 101362–101362
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN