COVID-19 Guidance: Homelessness Services & Congregate Living Settings

Last updated: March 14, 2023

Learn about current shelter operations, as well as sanitation and washroom services that have showers, washrooms, and drinking water, for individuals experiencing homelessness. Also see information on how Toronto Public Health works with shelters.

Homelessness service providers who want to report an individual with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, or who have questions related to an individual with suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, can contact the TPH Shelters Intake Line at 416-338-1521 or email TPHshelters@toronto.ca between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. After-hours, please contact 311.

Increasing fresh air exchange into facilities can help to reduce COVID-19 circulation, though some methods are more technical than others. When in doubt, Toronto Public Health recommends that facilities contact a certified specialist in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) to determine the needs of your facility and how best to optimize them for their space.

Here are some resources currently available. As this area of expertise continues to evolve, more information and resources may become available. For further information on ventilation you may refer to Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 & Respiratory Viruses: Reduce Virus Spread Guide.

About Vaccination

Resources for Homelessness Service Providers

  • For reference: City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
  • The City is asking that all homelessness service providers track vaccine uptake using this survey. The survey collects aggregate information, including site and program names, number of individuals vaccinated and health care partner information. Personal health information is not being collected.