Homeless encampments are not just something that happens in big cities.
According to the District Municipality of Muskoka, which looks after housing, between April 1 and Oct. 8, 2025, it distributed 17 tents in Huntsville to people experiencing a housing emergency.
“In some cases, tents may still be provided as a last resort when no other options are available and when individuals are unable or unwilling to use options such as motels or transitional housing. Tents are not a permanent or suitable housing solution, and they are not adequate in cold weather,” explained Arfona Zwiers, Commissioner of Community and Planning Services for the District of Muskoka, via email correspondence with Doppler.
Zwiers stated that providing a tent is a very short-term measure while staff work with people to connect them to more appropriate and stable housing. There are also situations where a tent is not suitable for an individual due to health or other challenges.
“When someone is in crisis, our first step is always to explore the best options for them. This might mean reconnecting with friends or family, arranging transportation to another community where shelter and supports are available, or linking them to local services. When no other safe alternatives exist, short-term motel stays may be used as a temporary solution. We know motels are not ideal, and we are actively working to reduce reliance on them by expanding more suitable and permanent housing options.”
Zwiers said homelessness in Muskoka takes many forms. Some may be living outdoors, some outdoors in encampments, others stay in motels or couch-surf with friends, or sometimes rely on temporary arrangements that are neither stable nor secure. “However it appears, each situation reflects the real housing challenges our neighbours are facing here at home,” she said.
“Alongside housing supports, our team connects people with mental health and addiction services, primary care, food banks, and other community resources. District staff and community partners also carry out regular outreach and wellness checks to ensure people living rough or in encampments are supported. We are currently working with the Muskoka Paramedic Services Community Paramedic Team and other community partners to develop a dedicated homelessness outreach partnership that will strengthen our ability to reach people where they are across Muskoka and immediately provide supports,” she added.
It is difficult to determine precisely how many people are homeless in Muskoka, but according to Zwiers, there is a Muskoka By-Name List (BNL) of people who are known to be experiencing homelessness. The list is maintained by District staff, community partners, and outreach agencies. “When people connect with services or outreach workers, they may be invited to join the list, providing some basic information with consent. The list helps coordinate supports, track individual situations over time, prioritize those in urgent need, and help make the best match for available housing options,” she explained. “While there are currently 139 people on the BNL, we know the actual number of people experiencing homelessness is higher. Not everyone chooses to engage with services or provide consent to be included on the list. The BNL reflects those we are actively connected with.”
Still, there are people living in tents as colder weather sets in, and the problem may get worse for neighbouring communities as the encampments in Barrie are dismantled.
“We are aware of the challenges being highlighted in Barrie and recognize that homelessness pressures in neighbouring communities can have ripple effects in Muskoka. Our focus here is on working with local partners to address immediate needs while continuing to build long-term housing solutions. In the short term, this includes working with local motels to ensure capacity is in place during the winter months. Over the longer term, our work is guided by the Big Move on Housing, the 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, and Council’s priority of Housing for Everyone, which focuses on advancing new housing developments, increasing access to affordable housing, and supporting prevention programs across Muskoka.”
By the numbers
- Between April and October 2025, the District supported people with more than 11,000 nights of accommodation in local motels. The number of motel vouchers provided this year is down by 24 per cent when compared to the same period in 2024. This decrease is partly due to fewer motel rooms being available in 2025.
- As of October 2025, there are 658 applications on the District’s housing waitlist. This includes people waiting for different housing types, such as rent-geared-to-income, market rent, affordable, and transitional units. Because applicants can choose more than one municipality when they apply, the numbers by town reflect preferences, not exclusive choices. Of these applications, 349 include Huntsville as one of the preferred locations.
Ultimately, addressing homelessness is about more than just programs, said Zwiers, it’s about community. “People experiencing homelessness are our neighbours, and this work requires a shared mindset of helping others, reducing stigma, and ensuring that everyone is supported with dignity. By working together as a community, we can build stronger, more resilient Muskoka communities for the future. In line with this, this fall, the Muskoka Housing Task Force 2.0 will host a homelessness awareness event to build understanding and highlight the collective work underway to address homelessness in Muskoka.”
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