Toronto, ON – The City of Toronto has unveiled the first six locations for shelters under its ambitious 10-year Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS). This initiative, approved by City Council, aims to construct up to 20 new shelters citywide by 2033 to address the growing demand for emergency accommodations and create more pathways out of homelessness.
The six shelter sites, selected from an evaluation of over 100 properties, include:
- 1615 Dufferin St. (near St. Clair Avenue West)
- 2204-2212 Eglinton Ave. W. (near Caledonia Road)
- 2535 Gerrard St. E. (near Victoria Park Avenue)
- 68 Sheppard Ave. W. (near Yonge Street)
- 66 Third St. (near Islington Avenue)
- 1220 Wilson Ave. (near Keele Street)
#CityOfTO Warming Centres will open today at 5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
•136 Spadina Rd.
•81 Elizabeth St.
•12 Holmes Ave.
•885 Scarborough Golf Club Rd.Daytime drop-in programs are also available across Toronto. Locations: https://t.co/oZMiq6iXAT. pic.twitter.com/GiFDrvOCNp
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) December 11, 2024
Each facility will accommodate approximately 80 people, focusing on safety, comfort, and resources to transition residents into stable housing. These smaller shelters will cater to diverse groups, including Indigenous people, youth, women, men, and couples.
The City estimates that transitioning away from expensive hotel accommodations to these purpose-built shelters will save up to $127 per bed per night, amounting to $74 million in operating cost savings over 20 years.
To support the integration of shelters into their respective communities, the City will host comprehensive engagement sessions with local residents and businesses.
Winter Services Expanded for Cold Weather
In addition to the HSCIS announcement, Toronto has expanded its Winter Services Plan to support individuals experiencing homelessness during the colder months. New initiatives include the activation of Metro Hall as a Warming Centre at minus five degrees Celsius and the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre as a surge Warming Centre at minus 15 degrees Celsius.
These additions bring the total number of Warming Centres in the city to seven, with 60 additional spaces available across the two new sites. The 24-hour winter respite at the Better Living Centre, announced earlier, will ramp up to 300 spaces next week. Daytime drop-in programs have also extended their operations by 200 hours weekly to meet increased demand.
Supporting the Shelter System During the Holidays
Toronto residents are encouraged to contribute to the City’s annual Holiday Wish List by donating warm clothing, hygiene products, and gift cards to community agencies supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Toronto’s shelter system currently operates over 100 sites in partnership with not-for-profit organizations. In 2023 alone, the City successfully transitioned more than 5,900 individuals from shelters into permanent housing.
Deputy Mayor Amber Morley emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “Welcoming these shelter sites gives us the opportunity to look out for our friends and neighbours who need a roof over their heads.”
For more information about the new shelter locations and Winter Services Plan, visit www.toronto.ca/newshelters.
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