Each year, the City of Toronto activates a Winter Services Plan to provide additional capacity and services to support people experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months (November 15 to April 15), when health and safety risks are higher than normal.
The City’s 2025-2026 winter response has now concluded.
Planning for the 2026-2027 season is underway and will take into consideration operational data and feedback from the past season. Details of the 2026-2027 winter plan will be released in fall 2026.
Summary of 2025-2026 Winter Services Plan
The 2025-2026 winter season was marked by prolonged cold, frequent snowfall, and challenging conditions that persisted throughout the season. Working with staff and partners across the homelessness services sector, the City provided approximately 1,275 shelter system and housing spaces over the winter season.
Elements of the winter plan included:
- Offering close to 490 spaces by expanding existing shelter programs and opening dedicated 24-hour winter respites
- Activating approximately 240 Warming Centre spaces when temperatures reached -5 degrees Celsius or during a winter weather event warning. In response to persistent cold conditions, these Centres were open to new admissions on 98 nights this winter, 20 more nights than last year
- Making an additional 175 surge spaces available when temperatures reached -15 degrees Celsius, as enhanced outreach teams worked to bring people indoors. These services were activated for 28 days this winter, representing a 56% increase over last year
- In addition, due to extended periods of extreme cold in January and early February, the City activated close to 200 additional emergency spaces, including the opening of an eighth Warming Centre at John Innes Community Centre
- Providing extended operating hours at several day-time drop-in programs
- Working to connect more than 300 households with City-funded social and supportive housing units that became available throughout the winter season
