A Scan of Ontario Cities’ COVID-19 Policies and their Impacts on People Living in Homelessness

This article summarizes findings from a scan of COVID-19 policies in Ontario that impact individuals experiencing homelessness. We collected and analyzed policy data between March 2020 and August 2020, from 10 cities, including all municipal-level restrictions and public health measures implemented in response to COVID-19. From our scan, we found that 161 policies had direct or indirect implications for people living in homelessness. These policies were organized into categories that describe ‘where’ effects were seen – which most often relate to requirements for physical distancing. Some of the most obvious impacts relate to reduced access to needed services and supports in light of non-essential business closures and other service disruptions. Other key impacts relate to the use of public spaces during the pandemic - including access to sanitation facilities, encampment bylaws, changes to public transit services, quarantine and isolation mandates, and the impact of a province-wide stay-at-home order.
Overall, in reviewing local responses to the pandemic, it is critical to consider the disproportionate impacts of restrictive public health measures on already marginalized groups and continue to learn about strategies that aim to protect all members of society.