Homelessness Shelter Operator Expression of Interest

The City of Toronto is developing up to 20 new shelter sites by 2033, as part of the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS).

As new sites are identified, the City will issue Expressions of Interest to secure shelter operators. In each case, applicants must:

meet all of the requirements outlined in the applicable Expression of Interest Guidelines
have expertise in providing direct services to people experiencing homelessness
have a strong financial record providing these services

The Expressions of Interest to run new shelters are now closed. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

About the Homeless Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy

Approved by City Council in November 2023, the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) outlines a plan to transition the City’s shelter system from an emergency-focused pandemic response, to a long-term proactive model that supports recovery and stability of the shelter system.

Through HSCIS, between 2024-2033, the City plans to develop up to 1,600 new shelter spaces across up to 20 new shelter sites. These spaces will enable the City to move away from the use of temporary shelter hotels and toward smaller, more purpose-built sites that are more cost-efficient and better service client needs.

The City is committed to ensuring that its homelessness services, including emergency and transitional shelters, are accessible and responsive to the needs of all people experiencing homelessness. Under HSCIS, the City will be looking to identify growth in areas where there is significant need, such as families, youth, Black-led, and Indigenous spaces.

Eligibility Requirements

In general, proponents must:

Be incorporated as a non-profit organization with a financial statement audited within the last 23 months (or apply with a trustee).
Be primarily located and provide services in the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, York, Durham and Peel Regions).
Be in good standing with the City.
Commit to and abide by the terms of the applicable EOI Guidelines, the Toronto Shelter Standards, and other standards as defined in the Operating Agreement.
Commit to operating a municipal emergency shelter program for a minimum of ten years.
Commit to intaking new/returning clients through the City’s defined referral processes (e.g., Central Intake, Streets to Homes, the Encampment Office).
Commit to take all reasonable measures to accommodate clients accompanied by their pet, including service animals.
Commit to paying all front-line staff employed by the shelter an appropriate wage (minimum of $53,000 annual or higher, based on 2025 figures).
Commit to the terms that administrative costs (overhead expenses) will be capped at 10 per cent of project expenses.

There may be additional requirements, based on the type of shelter (e.g. Indigenous, or black-mandated shelters).

The City welcomes joint applications from non-profit organizations interested in operating a site together, so long as one organization is identified as the lead and responsible for executing all agreements with the City. Joint applicants are required to submit a proposed governance and decision-making model to clarify the relationship.

Organizations without direct experience operating an emergency shelter are welcome to apply and are given the opportunity to provide information on how their experience is transferrable. However, organizations are scored according to their depth and length of experience in delivering programs and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as experience in the operation of a municipal emergency shelter.

Service Delivery Requirements

Successful applicants are required to meet guidelines outlined in the Toronto Shelter Standards. A summary of these standards can be found below. There may be additional requirements, based on the type of shelter (e.g. Indigenous, or black-mandated shelters).

Operational Requirements

Operate 24/7 365 days a year, and ensure the implementation of business continuity plans
Commit to regular site visits/audits and annual program evaluation by Toronto Shelter & Support Services (TSSS)
Use, and ensure the quality and privacy of information accessed through TSSS’ Shelter Management Information System (SMIS)
Participate in collecting and reporting on performance indicators

Program Requirements

Provide individualized and housing-focused case management, including follow-up supports as required
Connect clients to external services when necessary
Accommodate all clients within the applicable sector, regardless of their unique identity and support needs
Work from client-centred, strength-focused, human-rights, trauma-informed and equity-focused lenses
Provide harm reduction in alignment with Toronto Shelter & Support Services’ Harm Reduction Framework
Participate in peer-support and client engagement programs

Partnership and Community Engagement

Build connections with community homeless and health service agencies
Work with TSSS and other funders for additional resources
Act as a hub for community connections and integrated services
Maintain strong community relations (e.g., maintain a clean facility, respond to complaints, proactively engage with the community), as well as lead engagement initiatives in support of the site and surrounding community

Asset Management Requirements

Implement facility management, cleanliness, pest management, and maintenance policies and plans
Conduct facility maintenance and repairs, as necessary
Participate in regular building condition audits
Ensure state of good repair work

Staffing Requirements

Maintain required staffing levels, including a 1:20 staff-to-client ratio for housing/case workers
Provide a broad range of training to staff (e.g., anti-racism, accessibility, cultural competence, Housing First, and relevant health and safety regulations)

Funding & Resources

Operational Funding

The City provides successful applicants with the funds needed to deliver a shelter program, as required, within a reasonable range of comparable municipally funded shelter operations. Successful applicants are required to enter into an Operating Agreement with the City’s Toronto Shelter & Support Services division, prior to receiving funding. Ongoing operational funding is subject to annual review and contingent on City Council’s annual budget approval.

Capital Funding and Facility Specifications

Successful applicants will operate emergency shelter programs in a facility provided by the City. In general, these facilities will:

be designed with input from the successful applicant and City staff, where possible
accommodate approximately 70-100 spaces, subject to program delivery model and clients served
comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code
include sufficient confidential areas for case management and office staff
feature wireless internet connection to be made freely available to staff and clients
include an outdoor space and space for pets and service animals

Use of Another Facility

Organizations may apply to operate a shelter in their own facility (either owned or with a long-term lease) by completing the appropriate section of the Application form for each respective Expression of Interest. These organizations are considered separately, given they do not need to rely on the City to provide an HSCIS location.

Evaluation Process

Eligible applications are evaluated and scored by an Evaluation Committee made up of a selection of staff from across the City’s Toronto Shelter & Support Services Division. Complete details on the evaluation criteria and scoring are provided for each Expression of Interest.

As the City secures each new shelter site, the applicant with the best match to that site and highest score is invited to participate in a due diligence exercise to further review the financial health of the organization, provide an opportunity for the selected Proponent(s) to meet with the City to develop a budget for the proposed program and discuss the proposed program model and program partnerships.

Should an organization successfully complete stage 2 and agree to move forward, the Evaluation Committee makes a recommendation to the General Manager of Toronto Shelter & Support Services for final selection.

Qualified List

Applicants that achieve a score of at least 60 out of 100 in each sector-based category, will be added to a ‘Qualified List’ to be considered for upcoming HSCIS shelter sites. Organizations have the opportunity to update their application as needed through the annual EOI process, should they wish to be considered for future opportunities.

Expression of Interest - Black-Mandated Shelter Stream (Now Closed)

The Expression of Interest to operate a new Black-mandated shelter closed on Friday, May 30, 2025. The City is currently evaluating applications and expects to inform all eligible applicants of the outcome in Q4 2025.

Application Resources

Expression of Interest - Indigenous Stream (Now Closed)

The Expression of Interest to operate a new Indigenous shelter closed on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The City is currently evaluation applications and expects to inform all eligible applicants of the outcome in Q3 2025.

Application Resources

Expression of Interest – General Stream (Now Closed)

The general Expression of Interest to become an operator of a shelter to support single adults, families, youth or seniors experiencing homelessness closed on Sunday, October 6, 2024. The City has evaluated applications and informed all eligible applicants of the outcomes in Q2 2025.