City of Toronto continues to help and support people experiencing homelessness

Photo: Homelessness in Toronto

The City of Toronto continues to assist and protect people experiencing homelessness through COVID-19 vaccinations, an increased focus on infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures in the shelter system, a COVID-19 rapid testing program for new shelter residents, and by referring people to indoor accommodation and access to a housing worker. Since June 15, 63 people staying in encampments were referred to safe inside space, including 38 this past week.

As outlined in the recent City Manager’s report to City Council, encampments contravene several chapters of the Municipal Code and are not a solution to homelessness. The health outcomes for people who stay outside are complex and serious. Individuals living in encampments are also at risk of contracting COVID-19.

City staff attempting to assist those experiencing homelessness are increasingly facing intimidation, threats and criminal harassment by advocates or protestors at encampments. This behaviour is unacceptable, and the City is committed to ensuring that employees are protected from harassment in the workplace.

Currently, there are an estimated 51 people staying in encampments at Lamport Stadium, Moss Park, Alexandra Park and Cherry Beach Park, with far more tents and makeshift structures (more than 140) in those encampments than people.

The risk of fires in encampments is also high. There have been 120 fire events in encampments so far this year, including five in the past week. In 2020, Toronto Fire Services responded to 253 fires in encampments — a 247 per cent increase over the same period in 2019. The risk of serious injury or death to occupants of encampments, as well as to first responders and the public, as a result of fire, is serious.

So far this year, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Police Service have collectively responded to 117 emergency calls to the encampment in Moss Park alone.

Since mid-December 2020, the City has opened 244 new affordable and supportive homes, including 100 modular homes. Currently, there are 82 projects in the City’s affordable rental development pipeline, which will create 10,676 new permanently affordable rental homes once completed. Over the next 12 months, the City is aiming to make at least 1,248 new permanent affordable and supportive housing opportunities ready for occupancy. This includes 798 net new affordable and supportive rental homes under the HousingTO action plan.

To this end, over the last several months the City has announced nine new supportive housing projects consisting of more than 700 new homes across the city. The new housing will be developed through acquisition and renovation of existing properties or modular construction on City-owned or controlled lands. A map and information is available online: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/affordable-housing-developments/

Bringing people inside means there are fewer people experiencing homelessness living outdoors and exposed to higher risks of health and safety. Supportive housing offers a warm, safe place to call home; the necessities of life such as food, washrooms, and laundry; and the opportunity for strengthened community connections.

All occupants of encampments and residents in shelters, including the hotel program, are offered a housing worker to help them move from a shelter into secure permanent housing.

More than 14,600 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to people experiencing homelessness and those precariously housed, and to staff working in the shelter sector. As of June 28, 58 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of June 21, 33 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional key data points:
• All shelter locations have had at least one vaccine clinic offered on-site.
• 1 in 3 people in the City’s shelter system have been fully vaccinated – As of June 21, 33 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• There are more than 6,000 shelter spaces in the city today.
• This is the fourth week in a row with no outbreaks in the City’s shelter system.
• Almost 5,800 people experiencing homelessness moved from the shelter system into permanent housing from April 2020 to May 2021.
• Almost 1,730 people staying in encampments have been referred to safe inside spaces since April 2020.
• City and partner agency staff have engaged more than 20,000 times with people living outside, including those staying in encampments since July 2020.
• The City has budgeted to spend $663.2 million on homelessness services and housing supports in 2021, almost double the amount spent in 2019 at $365.8 million.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

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