The image is becoming all too familiar—young Ontarians, highly educated and employed, yet unable to afford independent living. Skyrocketing housing costs, stagnant wages, and inflation have made financial autonomy an increasingly distant goal. While some young adults live with family by choice or cultural tradition, many do so out of necessity, grappling with the emotional strain of prolonged economic dependence.

Premier Doug Ford’s recent re-election presents a renewed opportunity to address this crisis with urgency. The affordability challenges facing young Ontarians will not resolve themselves, and while Ford’s government has emphasized housing development and economic growth, a broader vision is required—one that not only expands supply but also mitigates the immediate impact of the crisis on families today.

A Crisis That Goes Beyond Housing

Ford’s government has promised aggressive action on housing affordability, committing to reducing red tape and increasing supply. But for many young Ontarians, the damage is already being done. Even if housing costs eventually stabilize, what happens to this generation in the meantime? The emotional and psychological consequences of delayed independence cannot be dismissed with long-term policy promises alone.

A recent CBC Radio segment featuring journalist Claire Gagné highlighted this reality. Gagné’s Maclean’s piece, Stuck at Home, profiled young professionals earning salaries that should place them in the middle class—yet they remain home. One, a 27-year-old with a $70,000 salary, continues to save for an apartment that still feels out of reach. Another, post-secondary graduate working full-time in Toronto, determined that moving out would be financially reckless given soaring rents.

Ontario’s social services remain ill-equipped to respond. While ministries exist for health, education, children, and seniors, no single ministry is responsible for family well-being. Families—the foundation of our communities—are left to navigate complex challenges alone. Ontario’s policies continue to view social and economic struggles through an individual lens, failing to account for the growing reality that intergenerational support is now a necessity rather than a choice for many young adults.

 Family-Focused Counselling: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle

This gap is particularly glaring in mental health. Family counselling is a cost-effective intervention that strengthens households, prevents crises, and reduces the need for intensive mental health care. Yet, Ontario’s public system prioritizes individualized interventions while overlooking the systemic benefits of family-focused services.

Family-focused interventions can lead to better outcomes, reducing long-term reliance on social services, improving employment prospects, and decreasing interactions with the justice system. Across Ontario, family service agencies already provide professional counselling using charitable dollars and sliding-scale fees, helping families navigate the challenges of multigenerational living. Some agencies have seen a rise in demand specifically related to delayed financial independence. Skilled family counsellors can facilitate conversations that ease tensions, foster understanding, and help families find sustainable solutions.

Despite this growing demand, no dedicated provincial funding exists to ensure families can access these services. If Premier Ford’s government is serious about addressing the affordability crisis, it must also recognize that social supports are just as critical as housing policies. Without adequate interventions, we risk compounding the economic crisis with a social one.

A Call to Action for Ford’s New Mandate

With a renewed mandate, Premier Ford and his new cabinet have the opportunity to lead on this issue—not only by tackling the structural problems driving affordability but also by investing in counselling and support services that help families manage its effects. Premier Ford must issue mandate letters to instruct relevant ministers to take immediate action to:

• Ensure access to government-funded family counselling so that support is available to all, not just those with the means to pay.
• Integrate family-focused counselling into Ontario’s system of care, recognizing that individual well-being is deeply connected to family stability.

Young Ontarians cannot afford another four years of uncertainty. Whether living at home out of necessity or choice, they deserve the tools to build their futures with confidence. Premier Ford must recognize that housing is just one piece of the puzzle—without the right support, we are failing an entire generation.

Susan Somogyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Family Service Ontario, with extensive experience in family-focused therapy and social services advocacy.