The news that the city was planning a shelter in our neighbourhood was the impetus for us to form an association. That was the spark but as we gathered and started to share information it became obvious that there are major developments beyond the proposed shelter where a strong collective voice is necessary to build a community that works for everyone.

They’re set out in the Municipal Shelter By-Law as amended in March 2019 Essentially, shelters are permitted in all zones or districts, provided any new buildings or additions comply with all other applicable zoning provisions.

Shelter locations that are close to homes, apartment buildings and schools?

Locating shelters in residential neighbourhoods is the norm. Some examples from the old City of Toronto: New Hope Leslieville men’s shelter (29 Leslie) is across the street from an older condominium and adjacent to houses on Leslie and Brick Court. Christie-Ossington Men’s Shelter (850 Bloor West) is in a stable residential neighbourhood. Fort York Men’s Residence (38 Bathurst) is co-located with a daycare amidst a rapidly growing condo district. 348 Davenport’s Women’s Shelter shares a lane with new condominiums and is across the street from the established Annex neighbourhoodCe. The Red Door Family Shelter is temporarily located on Gerrard, backing onto Roden Public School’s yard while its permanent home is being built on the ground floor of a new condominium on Queen near Logan.

 

You asked a number of questions about Operating Plans for the Shelter. The Shelter Standards give the basics, but many details are still being formulated. That’s true of details about the Community Liaison Committee (CLC). Approaches to CLCs vary, and the conversations Joe is having with various groups will help inform the approach. But the most common are CLCs comprised of reps appointed by existing stakeholders (e.g. residents’ associations, schools/Parent Councils, business associations, local agencies, etc.) CLCs typically meet monthly to share information, resolve any concerns, and link community offers of support with the shelter’s needs. We anticipate forming the CLC 4 - 5 months before the shelter is scheduled to open.

 

As for statistics, the best source of information is Toronto's 2018 Street Needs Assessment which includes information on why people are homeless. The top three issues are migration, inability to pay the cost of housing and evictions because their homes were sold or redeveloped. There is online information about Central Intake, which matches callers/walk-ins with available beds. Information on specific individuals referred to the shelter is of course confidential.

 

Credible studies on property values, crime rates, etc,, especially in Canada, are surprisingly scarce. There are some studies referenced on this Toronto site but they are older and most are focused on supportive housing for people with mental health issues rather than shelters. The actual experience of neighbours of Toronto shelters might be a better source of information — a good question to discuss at the information session you propose.

 

Semi-private rooms? What is the maximum per room?

On average, 4 beds.

 

What happens when there are more people needing shelter and when every shelter is at overflow. Will this shelter have or build capacity for such circumstances?

The capacity of the shelter is anticipated to be approximately 80 beds. There are currently no plans to add extra capacity as space for emergency cots is very limited.

 

Where will the dogs poop? (besides the roof)

There will be a cap on the number of pets that can be supported at the site at once (i.e. we cannot have 80 clients and 80 dogs). Staff will ensure that clients have access to poop and scoop bags. Beyond the rooftop space, dogs staying at the shelter will poop in the same places where other dogs in the community poop.

 

Internal garbage storage: given the volume, will there be a rodent strategy? 

Every shelter is required to have a pest control strategy. We have a contract with a company and will work closely with them to ensure it is effective. We are hoping to arrange for frequent garbage pickup. We are also committed to being a 'green' shelter by reducing the amount of garbage we produce and increasing recycling, diversion, etc.

 

Do the men need to sign in on a daily basis? How does that system of who sleeps there work? 

This is a transitional shelter which means men will not be discharged each morning and do not need to line up to access services. Once they have gone through an intake, they are enrolled in our shelter program and have a room and bed assigned to them.

 

Are the services available for men onsite also available to other community members, for eg employment services?

Anyone in the community who is experiencing homelessness and meets the program criteria can access the shelter program. Services are only available to folks residing in the shelter.

 

Who are the homeless? can we provide a demographic profile?

Clients of the shelter will be people who are experiencing homelessness who identify as male, 19+ years old. For more information on who is experiencing homelessness in Toronto, please read our Street Needs Assessment.

 

There is a rumour that 250 Davenport changed its clients based on local resident advocacy. Is this accurate?

I believe you are referring to 348 Davenport, which is a shelter currently operated by the YWCA. The site was originally purchased to support the George Street Revitalization project. Early on in the design process for 348 Davenport, however, Shelter, Support & Housing Administration also received council direction to secure 1000 new shelter beds by the end of 2020. Around that same time, the timelines for GSR were extended. The change in clients was a therefore a business decision based on the immediate need at that time to begin the process of securing 1000 new shelter beds.

 

The group is considering doing something educational in the winter, for example a community conversation with articulate people with a lived experience and neighbourhood folk in another area that were opposed but now are supportive? Fabulous!! I would highly recommend you tap into the Peer Program that just got funded through the New Shelter Service Model RFP via SPI which is PARC. PARC has a long and incredible history of engaging community with their members/PWLE playing an integral role.

From the office of Councillor Perks (emailed January 11, 2020):

The City of Toronto is inviting residents to learn more about and provide feedback on the Bloor West Bikeway Extension, which would extend the existing Bloor Street Bike Lanes westward from Shaw Street to Runnymede Road. The proposed protected bike lanes would create dedicated space for people cycling and improve safety for all road users.

Attached you will find more information on the project and public consultations.

There will be two public drop-in events taking place:

Date: Monday, January 27, 2020
Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: St. Wenceslaus Church 496 Gladstone Avenue
(behind the Bloor/Gladstone Library)

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020
Drop-in: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Lithuanian House
1573 Bloor Street West

Consultation Flyer

Additional info:

Bloor West Bikeway Extension: Economic Impact Studies

E-Updates:

Sign up for e-updates to stay up to date on key milestones and opportunities to get involved. In July 2019, the City of Toronto began planning, design and consultation on the Bloor West Bikeway Extension. The project will study and develop a design to add a bikeway on Bloor Street West from Shaw Street.

https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/bloor-street-west-bikeway-extension/

A recent flyer regarding news and an upcoming meeting about the proposed homeless shelter.

2299 Dundas Community Flyer

On July 10, 2019, there was a stakeholder's meeting about the proposed Bloor West Bikeway Extension. Linked below are the notes and minutes from the meeting.

Bloor West Bike Extension