Surge in Refugees Overwhelms Homeless Shelters in Mississauga and Brampton
Homeless shelters in Mississauga and Brampton are facing an unprecedented challenge as they struggle to accommodate the escalating number of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the Peel Region from Toronto. Approximately 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees have been making their way to various GTA locations, causing an overwhelming surge in demand that the Region of Peel-operated shelters are finding difficult to handle.
The situation has reached a critical point, with Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie describing it as dire. For the first time, Peel’s shelters are being forced to turn away a significant number of people seeking a place to stay. Reports indicate that one in every four individuals is being denied shelter due to the overcrowding caused by the influx of refugees.
Taking to her Twitter page, Mayor Crombie expressed her concern, revealing that Peel’s shelters and overflow accommodations are currently at full capacity. She stated that over 300 refugees have sought shelter in Peel, representing a one-third increase, with 126 of them being families with young children. This overwhelming demand has put immense pressure on the region’s facilities, as the existing 500 beds simply cannot accommodate the recent influx.
Under normal circumstances, refugees typically constitute only five percent of those utilizing Peel’s shelters. However, at present, that figure has surged to 35 percent, indicating the severity of the situation. Many of these refugees are arriving from desperate situations abroad, seeking a safe haven and assistance to rebuild their lives.
In response to the escalating demand for settlement services, Mayor Crombie and other municipal leaders from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) met to discuss potential solutions. Despite their best efforts, the continuous influx of people has placed an enormous strain on resources. The group of mayors and chairs released a statement acknowledging the activation of emergency shelter systems and the provision of wrap-around services for newcomers. However, they emphasized that the collective system is currently operating beyond capacity, making it increasingly challenging to serve vulnerable populations effectively.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors has also joined the call, urging the provincial and federal governments to provide additional financial support to address the escalating problem. The strain on resources and services necessitates a collaborative effort from all levels of government to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers receive the assistance and support they desperately need as they begin their new lives in Canada.