As Deputy Mayor for Etobicoke, I’ve witnessed firsthand the increasing challenges our residents face in accessing and maintaining housing, and the growing demand for shelter spaces across our city. On any given night, over 200 people are turned away from accessing shelter because there are no beds available, and they are left with nowhere to go.
The City’s shelters serve as more than just roofs and beds – they are critical to building a sense of community safety and stability for all our residents. Greater access to shelter means that fewer people are forced to live on the streets or in parks, and provides a foundation for residents to get back on their feet.
In Etobicoke-Lakeshore, we have seen an increase in smaller, more dispersed encampments outside the downtown core – highlighting the need for new shelters that serve our local residents. People accessing shelters are our friends and neighbours. Just like you and I, they benefit from living in places that keep them close to their routines, services, and communities.
Staff assessed 100 sites across Toronto to see if they met the City’s criteria for shelter use, and chose 66 Third Street as one of 6 new shelters across the City.
There are a limited number of available areas in Toronto that meet the size, budget and zoning requirements needed to be a municipal shelter. Shelters are not allowed in areas zoned exclusively for employment or industrial uses and are typically located in residential areas, often close to libraries, schools, community centres and health care services.
Many residents have reached out to my office with questions about how this particular site was chosen. In November 2021, during the previous Council term, City Council delegated authority to staff to approve and develop new locations for shelters and 24-hour respite sites. This is to ensure the City can work quickly to respond to shelter system pressures and provide critical supports to as many people as possible. It also helps to accelerate and depoliticize the shelter development process, which is consistent with a human-rights based approach to housing and related services for vulnerable residents.
The City has planned significant consultation for this site in partnership Public Progress, a professional public consultation firm, to ensure we approach this in the most thoughtful and effective way possible. I will be working very closely with the community and immediate neighbors to involve them at every step, ensuring the development at 66 Third Street is one that we can be proud of, and one that enhances our neighborhood.
We want to get this right – and we really want to hear from you to make sure we are creating shelters that truly work for everyone, and a city where everyone has a safe place to call home.
As you may know, the City directly operates or oversees more than 100 shelter sites across Toronto. The City of Toronto maintains rigorous operator standards and design guidelines for new projects. The City is committed to the safety and security of clients, staff, volunteers, neighbors, and the broader community, and I will ensure that your concerns regarding safety are addressed as the City progresses with the design and selection of the project operator.
Please note that I have already raised several local issues with City staff. Given the proximity of the site to Woods Manor, I have asked City staff and the engagement consultants to work closely with the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and the residents of Woods Manor to ensure their involvement in the process. The Lakeshore Village BIA and local merchants will also be directly engaged.
In the new year, the engagement team hired by the City will conduct further outreach and host public information sessions.
Please reach out to the engagement team on their phone hotline (647-946-8710) or by email ([email protected]) to:
- Share your specific concerns and feedback to shape the consultation and planning process going forward,
- Have your specific questions about the site answered, and
- Have your name added to a list to receive timely information about upcoming consultations that will take place in the new year.
I encourage you to get involved in the process. Ask questions, share your feedback, and bring your local knowledge and experience to the table.
- Learn more about the proposed shelter site at 66 Third Street at Toronto.ca/66Third
- Learn more about the 6 new shelters City-wide at Toronto.ca/NewShelters
