Chris Alexander pledges to move 1,000 unhoused Torontonians into permanent housing by 2027

Mayoral candidate Chris Alexander announced Wednesday a four-year plan called "A New Way Home for Toronto's Unhoused" with an explicit goal: move approximately 1,000 unhoused Torontonians into permanent housing by the end of 2027.

The plan's centrepiece is a new lead agency that will consolidate outreach, shelter, access, and housing placement — replacing what Alexander's campaign calls "dozens of agencies [that] run dozens of programs." The agency will meet weekly to fast-track projects. Alexander pledges to name the lead agency within 30 days.

A dedicated team will work to secure 1,000 new rental units by summer 2027, offering guaranteed rent, signing incentives, and a 24-hour rental line to landlords. Alexander framed the cost savings clearly: permanent supportive housing runs approximately $80 per person per night, compared to current shelter costs of $200 per person per night. "I'm not saying we're saving money by doing this, but we're saving lives," Alexander said to reporters Wednesday.

The plan includes corporate and philanthropic funding for first month's rent, damage funds, and furniture. It also proposes potential purchase of distressed condo and rental buildings. Alexander wants to close Toronto's 10 largest encampments in 2027, offering permanent housing to residents rather than displacing them.

Alexander's broader targets: shelter use reduced to 5,000 people nightly by August 2027 and under 3,000 by August 2028; fewer than 1,000 unhoused people in Toronto by October 2027; and less than 200 by 2030. The plan would rely on existing shelter budgets and provincial support for addiction and health-related services.

Meanwhile, Mayor Olivia Chow's administration says it has moved 15,000 people from shelters and encampments into permanent housing and plans to continue expanding shelter and affordable housing. Councillor Brad Bradford called for mandatory addiction treatment for some people with severe addictions and pledged to make at least 100 recovery-house beds available across Toronto.