November 20, 1998

To:Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee

From:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject:Occupancy Update on Shelters

Purpose:

To provide Committee with a brief occupancy update for the emergency shelter system.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Plans for opening several additional winter shelters are proceeding as scheduled. We expect that three new sites will open around the beginning of December and that two others will open by the end of this year. Additional sites for family sheltering are also under review and will, hopefully, be available early next year.

Because of concerns related to the onset of colder weather and growing demands, staff took steps to open the Fort York Armoury on November 12. As of Thursday, November 19 about 128 men and women were using this service. The Armoury project is intended to bridge needs for two or three weeks only until the new winter shelters open.

This is an operating Armoury and there are limitations on our shelter program in any shared use facility. Accordingly, Hostel Services plans call for the use of Armouries only as a back-up when we face extreme weather or shortages in bed capacity.

While a full report on the use of the Armoury will be filed at a later date, we should acknowledge the tremendous support we have received from National Defence personnel and the exemplary service of the Red Cross, which provides site management and staff support. We have also received a lot of help from the Salvation Army which provides food services. Other agencies involved included Forensic Support Inc., Gerstein Centre, Out of the Cold, St. John's Ambulance, City staff from Public Health, Ambulance services and Queen Street Mental Health Centre.

The attached chart shows capacity and occupancy numbers by client category over the last few days.

Contact Name:

Joanne Campbell

General Manager of Shelter, Housing and Support Division

Tel: (416) 392-7885

Fax: (416) 392-0548

Shirley Hoy

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services