Location: 629 Adelaide St. W.
Client Group: Adults (18 and over)
Number of Beds: Approximately 50
Opening Date: July 21, 2025
Service Operator: St. Felix Centre
The shelter at 629 Adelaide St. W. provides comprehensive case management and wrap-around supports to approximately 50 people, with a focus on helping individuals to secure permanent housing. Operated by St. Felix Centre, the site is a relocation of the program previously located at 25 Augusta Ave., which closed in July 2023 to be converted into new affordable housing.
The site at 629 Adelaide St. W. is operated by St. Felix Centre, a registered charity that provides compassionate and safe services to marginalized communities who are experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and other complex challenges. Established in 1993, St. Felix Centre offers a variety of services in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, including overnight accommodations, housing services, case work and social supports.
The site is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides critical shelter and wrap-around support services that aim to help individuals experiencing homelessness stabilize their lives, improve life skills, address needs and goals, and move toward securing permanent housing and independence.
Services include:
Referrals to the program are made through the City’s telephone-based Central Intake service.
The shelter at 629 Adelaide St. W. is a relocation of the respite program operated by St. Felix Centre at 25 Augusta Ave. which closed in July 2023 to be converted into new affordable housing. While the location was originally envisioned to serve as a 24-hour respite site, it opened as an emergency shelter for single adults of all genders. A variety of factors influenced the change to the service model, including community feedback, available budget, and a further assessment of the layout and square footage of the space.
To be considered as a potential new shelter service, sites must:
In November 2021, Toronto City Council adopted a report that authorized the City to enter into new or amend existing agreements with landlords in order to maintain or add new respite or shelter beds. This step was taken to allow the City to open or relocate shelter programs quickly to respond to shelter system pressures and ensure the City can provide critical shelter services and support to as many people as possible.
The City remains committed to working with the community to address any questions or concerns regarding the new site.
The City is committed to working with St. Felix Centre to support the program’s success – both for individuals in the shelter and the surrounding community.
The City held a virtual community information session on November 22, 2023 to allow neighbours to ask questions and learn more about the service.
A report was also prepared, outlining community engagement activities that took place in October and November 2023, as well as questions received from members of the community.
A Community Walk was held on May 6, 2024 with representatives of various local stakeholder groups to collectively identify areas of concern that may be impacted by the upcoming shelter program and begin a process of addressing those concerns.
St. Felix has established a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) where representatives from the local community meet regularly with them to share information, ask questions, and work together to problem solve community concerns.
The City is committed to the safety and security of residents, staff and the broader community, and working together to ensure the success of the site.
The site is staffed 24/7 by individuals who are trained in de-escalation, conflict resolution, crisis prevention, intervention and management, and harm reduction services and support. All team members are trained to respond to immediate non-police or non-EMS-related matters when made aware by the community.
The building is equipped with access control and video surveillance systems.
Staff have also been meeting with key stakeholders, including Toronto Police Service, to share information and discuss community safety.