720 Bathurst St.

Location: 720 Bathurst St.
Demographic: Indigenous adults
Anticipated capacity: Approximately 80 people
Estimated opening date: 2028-2029

The City of Toronto has secured 720 Bathurst St. for use as a municipal shelter that will provide essential services and supports to help Indigenous people experiencing homelessness move toward permanent housing.

The shelter is part of the City’s Council-approved Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, which aims to open up to 20 new shelters citywide by 2033. These sites will help respond to demand and stabilize the shelter system.

Learn more about the Strategy and how shelters make a difference in people's lives.

The City is committed to working with the local community to support the success of the site. A community meeting will be held early in the new year, and details will be posted shortly. More information on the City’s community engagement approach can also be found in the Community Engagement & Safety tab below.

Homelessness is experienced in all corners of Toronto and shelters are needed across the city to support people who are facing an immediate housing crisis.

Demand for Indigenous shelters offering culturally appropriate services continues to rise, with Indigenous people disproportionally affected by homelessness in Toronto. According to the 2024 Street Needs Assessment, a point-in-time count and survey of people experiencing homelessness, Indigenous people represent 3% of Toronto’s population – yet account for 9% of people experiencing homelessness.

Although the City funds a number of Indigenous shelter programs, there are currently no shelters that provide Indigenous-specific services for adults in University-Rosedale.

City Council has delegated authority to staff to approve and develop new locations for shelters and 24-hour respite sites. This is to ensure the City can work quickly to respond to shelter system pressures and provide critical supports to as many people as possible. It also helps to accelerate and depoliticize the shelter development process, which is consistent with a human-rights based approach to housing and related services for vulnerable residents.

There are a limited number of available areas in Toronto that meet the size, budget and zoning requirements needed to be a municipal shelter. Shelters are typically located in residential areas, often close to libraries, schools, community centres and health care services.

The shelter at 720 Bathurst St. will be purpose-built to thoughtfully integrate into the surrounding community and respond to the unique needs of its residents. The site will be designed to be inclusive, accessible and pet-friendly, following best practices outlined in the Shelter Design and Technical Guidelines.

Learn more about shelter design and see photos of recently built shelters following these best practices.

Once operational, the shelter will provide Indigenous-focused services to support the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of approximately 80 people. Services will include:

  • 24/7 staffing and security
  • Nutritious meals and laundry facilities
  • On-site medical care
  • Culturally based programming and services

Case managers will work with residents to develop housing plans and connect them to resources.

Referrals to the program will be made through the City’s telephone-based Central Intake service.

The City is committed to working with the community to make this site successful for its resident and its neighbours. This includes a firm commitment to being a good neighbour, providing ongoing shelter updates, responding to questions, and working collaboratively with the City and local community members to solve concerns if they arise.

A community meeting to provide more information about the shelter will be held in the new year. More information will be posted shortly.

Should you wish to receive e-updates as the project progresses, or have site specific questions, please email 720Bathurst@toronto.ca.

Being a Good Neighbour

Safety is a top priority whenever new services open. Shelter residents are expected to be respectful neighbours and follow Good Neighbour Policies introduced during intake. Everyone using the shelter will have a safe place to stay as they transition to permanent housing.

Key safety measures include:

  • 24/7 On-Site Staff: Trained professionals in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and crisis prevention and intervention.
  • Clear Boundaries: The shelter will not include supervised consumption services or provide unregulated substances.
  • Culturally Appropriate Support: Services tailored to meet individual needs.
  • Additional Security Features: The building will have security cameras and access controls into the building.

We will work closely with community members and key partners, including the Toronto Police Service, to share information and address concerns promptly and transparently.