Toronto Shelter Standards

The Toronto Shelter Standards outline minimum requirements for all City-administered shelter programs. Developed in partnership with staff, sector partners and people with lived experience, the standards outline a clear set of expectations, guidelines and minimum requirements for the delivery of shelter services in Toronto.

The City’s Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) Division works with staff and partners to regularly update the standards to improve service delivery. Between comprehensive updates, TSSS issues interim standards through Directives, which shelter operators are required to follow.

Toronto Shelter and Support Services is committed to working collaboratively with staff and partners to identify and take advantage of opportunities for improvement on an ongoing basis.

Updates or clarification to the Toronto Shelter Standards are released through Directives that shelter providers are required to follow. The interim standards outlined in Directives will be integrated into the full Standards document during its next revision cycle.

Recent Updates to Toronto Shelter Standards

Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ clients

In December 2025, Toronto Shelter and Support Services released updated standards to better support 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer plus) clients. The updates were informed through engagement with 2SLGBTQ+ clients and sector staff, focusing on the needs, challenges and changes required to improve services, particularly for gender diverse, trans and Two-Spirit individuals. This work was closely supported by The 519.

The standard updates focus on six key areas:

  • Capacity building
  • Policy development
  • Basic needs
  • Creating safer spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ clients
  • Client-focused 2SLGBTQ+ resources and supports
  • Collaboration with community partners

The standards are captured in Directive 2025-02 released in December 2025. Further details on the standards can be found in a Q&A document.

Enhancing client-centered and culturally responsive supports

While developing the standards to better support 2SLGBTQ+ clients, standards were identified to improve client-centred service delivery through:

  • Strengthened Client-Centered and Inclusive Supports
  • Enhanced Privacy and Safety Measures
  • Expanded Health and Mental Health Access
  • Improved Discharge Planning and Follow-Up

New standards to support Indigenous cultural practices and reconciliation were also developed in consultation with Two-Spirit clients and the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. This includes:

  • Requirements for service providers to have a policy focused on reconciliation
  • Supporting Indigenous clients access to, and use of, sacred medicines
  • Expectation to engage Indigenous organizations to deliver trainings on Indigenous cultural competencies

These standards are captured in Directive 2025-03 released in December 2025.

Other Current Standard Amendments in Effect

Toronto Shelter Standards
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