United Way East Ontario is committed to raising $1 million to prevent youth homelessness in Ottawa over the next five years, with plans to invest across East Ontario as resources and readiness allows.
This announcement was made at Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa’s event, Ending Homelessness in Ottawa: Reimagining Emergency Shelters and Diversion, at Ottawa City Hall on January 30, 2026.
The issue of youth homelessness has reached a critical point across our region, and most acutely in Ottawa where between 1,200 and 1,400 young people experience homelessness each year.
“Our new investments will focus on prevention-first strategies that tackle youth homelessness at its root by focusing on early intervention and long-term stability. By preventing youth from entering the shelter system, we can end youth homelessness—early intervention changes lives.”
United Way’s work to prevent youth homelessness includes providing vulnerable youth with:
- Wrap-around supports that help them overcome life challenges and build a more stable life, including mental health counselling, education, and life and work skills programs that boost their independence, confidence, and ability to thrive in the community.
- Support building positive connections with family, friends, schools, and communities, so they have a safety net that lasts beyond immediate crisis.
- Essential resources, such as affordable housing and food.
Creating long-term solutions that reduce homelessness requires a collective, community-wide response. United Way plays a vital role by convening partners across East Ontario, leveraging research, and investing in prevention-focused programs that work at a systemic level.
Together, as part of a growing movement behind Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s pledge to end youth homelessness by 2030, we can create lasting solutions and ensure every young person has a place to call home.
Join us in our commitment to raise $1 million for youth homelessness here.
