Who can you call for support?

416-338-4766	If you are in immediate need of an emergency shelter in Toronto, please call 311 or Central Intake at 416-338-4766 for assistance. Please note that access to all shelters in Toronto is only available through these two channels.
311	Request help for individuals experiencing homelessness who may need support, or report concerns related to a new encampment.
911	Report emergencies related to encampment fires, injuries, life safety or Criminal Code offences.
416-808-2222	Call Police Non-Emergency to report crimes where no person is in immediate danger such as theft, vandalism, trespassing, etc.
416-338-9375	Call Toronto Fire Services to discuss general non-emergency fire safety concerns related to an encampment.

 

I support the City's approach to encampment outreach

With summer upon us, there has been a resurgence of encampments across Toronto. Encampments are a symptom of the housing affordability crisis, exacerbated by a lack of supportive housing and a co-current mental health and addictions crisis that is facing cities across North America. As Toronto continues to grow, Etobicoke-Lakeshore is no exception to this, as our city’s most vulnerable seek shelter and social supports.

While historically we have seen most encampments in the downtown core where there is a density of social supports and services, we are increasingly seeing our neighbours here in Etobicoke facing similar challenges accessing adequate, permanent housing across the housing spectrum. Recently, residents have reached out with questions about the City’s policies after seeing encampments in their neighbourhoods.

I remain committed to a people-first, human rights-based approach to help connect those living outside and in encampments with shelter support and housing services.

Outreach efforts at these locations focus on engaging with individuals to build trusting relationships, help address immediate health and safety needs and find supportive and permanent housing. The City uses a multi-divisional approach to respond to the complex needs of those living outdoors. Outreach staff work to facilitate access to indoor spaces, housing and wrap-around supports while clean-up crews remove waste and debris and ensure parks and other shared-use spaces are accessible to all.

It's important to note that the City’s approach to managing encampments involves prioritizing outreach to support individuals and assisting them in securing more permanent housing solutions. This process may be lengthy due to the high demand and current strains on our shelter system, reflecting the broader challenges of our ongoing housing affordability crisis.

I am committed to continuing to work closely with City Staff to ensure that:

• City Staff from Streets to Homes continue to engage meaningfully and consistently with encampment residents in Etobicoke-Lakeshore to secure permanent housing solutions,
• City Staff from appropriate divisions are engaged to address health, safety, and well-being concerns for the individuals staying in encampments and local communities as they arise, and
• Neighbours living near the encampments are engaged and updated when appropriate.

Permanent affordable and supportive housing is the solution to homelessness.

Securing permanent affordable and supportive housing is not easy. The demand across our city far outweighs the supply in Toronto when it comes to housing, and as a result we rely on stopgap measures like transitional housing programs and emergency shelters to house people temporarily.

Learn more about the City's approach to encampment outreach →