### Canada to End Temporary Hotel Housing for Asylum Seekers, Raising Concerns Over Shelter Shortages
The Canadian government will stop funding temporary hotel accommodations for asylum seekers by **September 30, 2025**, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Since 2020, the federal program has housed thousands of asylum claimants at a cost of **$1.1 billion**, but officials emphasize it was always a **temporary measure** to address surges in migration. Currently, **485 asylum seekers** remain in hotels across Ontario and Quebec. While IRCC says it will assist them in finding long-term housing, advocates warn that **overburdened shelter systems** and **affordable housing shortages** could leave many without viable options.
### Shelter Systems at Capacity as Municipalities Struggle to Meet Demand
With municipal shelters consistently full, experts fear the end of hotel funding will worsen an already dire situation. **Adaoma Patterson** of United Way Greater Toronto notes that while some shelters, like one in Peel Region, have expanded capacity, **new facilities take time to build**. Many asylum seekers also face difficulties securing rental housing due to **discrimination or financial barriers**, increasing the risk of homelessness or unsafe living conditions. Meanwhile, IRCC reports that **over 15,000 asylum seekers** have transitioned to independent housing, and asylum claims have dropped by **40% compared to last year**—though the reason for the decline remains unclear.
### Federal Policy Shifts and Financial Strains Raise Further Challenges
Recent federal decisions, including **scrapping a $68-million asylum system overhaul** and introducing stricter border measures under the **Strong Borders Act**, could make it harder for claimants to seek refuge. Economists like **Christopher Worswick** question whether the drop in asylum claims is real or simply shifting costs to **cash-strapped provinces and municipalities**. Grassroots organizations, such as **Miracle Arena For All Nations** in Vaughan, have stepped in to help, but **rely on volunteers and donations**, making long-term support unsustainable. Without immediate solutions, advocates warn that **asylum seekers may once again end up on the streets**, echoing the 2023 crisis when hundreds slept outside in Toronto.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/federal-government-stop-funding-hotel-080000187.html.