Location: 2035 Kennedy Rd.
Shelter residents: Adults of all genders
Number of beds: up to 412
Opened: May 2020
Service Operator: Homes First Society
The City of Toronto secured 2035 Kennedy Rd. through a Request for Proposal to provide additional capacity in the shelter system, by using hotel spaces as needed, until August 2024. The shelter, which is operated by Homes First Society, has been used as part of the City’s COVID-19 response since May 2020. To learn more about the City’s temporary shelter sites, visit: toronto.ca/PhysicalDistancingShelters.
Thank you to everyone who participated in and watched the 2035 Kennedy Report Back Session on October 6, 2022.
People experiencing homelessness who access emergency shelter have a range of different support needs. The shelter program at 2035 Kennedy Rd. is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides meals, laundry and wrap-around support for shelter residents, including:
The Shelter Hotel Overdose Prevention Project (SHOPP) is active at 2035 Kennedy Rd. SHOPP is a community designed response to the opioid crisis, where people with lived experience of homelessness and who have experience with drug use provide support to shelter residents. People at risk of overdose can use their drugs in front of, and with the support of, a SHOPP peer worker who is trained in overdose prevention and response measures like administering Naloxone, oxygen and CPR, and who can call emergency services if needed.
Learn more about the City’s Integrated Prevention & Harm Reduction Initiative in the shelter system and about overdoses in homelessness service settings.
The City’s engagement process focuses on facilitating active discussions between shelter operators, elected officials and the community on how best to support the success of the shelter in the neighbourhood. To this end, third-party Community Engagement Facilitators, Maria Crawford and Violetta Ilkiw, of Barnes Management Group, have been hired to help with the engagement process. A number of initiatives are currently underway or being planned to ensure community members are kept informed of the services and support at the site, including:
Previously, the shelter operators conducted community outreach and engagement, including the following:
Safety and security is a priority for the City and staff are working to ensure the temporary shelter program at 2035 Kennedy Rd. is a good neighbour.
Homes First is working closely with Toronto Police, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and Corporate Security at the City of Toronto to provide a number of community safety measures. All staff are trained on de-escalation, conflict resolution and crisis prevention, intervention and management. Community members are encouraged to voice and report their concerns so that the appropriate contact can respond. See the “Who to Contact” tab for contact information.
The site has 10 contracted security guards to help ensure safety and security at the site. Security guards patrol the property, including the interior, exterior and the connected parking structure. There are security cameras on the main floor, including the reception area and in the elevators. Externally, cameras are placed around entrance points.
A Community Safety Team patrols the area 24 hours a day. Wearing yellow vests, they engage with shelter residents and members of the community off property and address safety concerns, such as discarded needles. Community members are encouraged to reach out to them using the contact information in the “Who to Contact” tab if there is a safety issue in their community they feel needs to be addressed. In May 2022, the City added a second team that conducts patrols between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. seven days a week.
For site inquiries and general concerns at 2035 Kennedy Rd.:
Community Safety Team: One Community Solutions
Central Intake: 416-397-5637
For general inquiries related to homelessness:
3-1-1
Toronto Police Non-Emergency: 416-808-2222 | 416-467-0493 (TTY)
Toronto Police Online Reporting:
To discuss community engagement and community concerns related to the shelter: