What is COSTI doing to address the issue of homelessness?
Over the past few years, despite Toronto’s growing economy and falling unemployment rates, the number of homeless and low-income people, and, in particular, families, continues to be on the rise. The causes behind this growing crisis are clear – a lack of affordable housing, rising rents, and an increasing number of eviction applications. Many of the individuals that come to the COSTI Housing Help Centre are immigrants and refugees, facing multiple barriers to accessing and securing housing. They also include youth and seniors, families with fixed incomes, victims of discrimination and racism, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals suffering from addiction and chronic mental or physical illnesses. The Housing Help Centre works with these individuals and families, assisting them in breaking free of the shelter system by overcoming barriers to securing safe, affordable, and adequate housing. The Centre offers a holistic approach to service, providing crisis intervention, housing
