News Release
July 20, 2021

Today, the City of Toronto successfully referred 11 people staying in an encampment at Alexandra Park to either a shelter or hotel program. Fifteen other people declined referrals and left the park of their own accord.

The City posted trespass notices at four encampments, including Alexandra Park, on Saturday, June 12 and have continually engaged with encampment occupants to encourage them to come inside where they have access to meals, laundry, medical and social supports, and a housing worker.

Fencing was erected by the City to protect City crews and encampment occupants, as well as to allow crews to safely remove debris and begin the task of restoring and repairing the park grounds for general public use so it can be reopened as quickly as possible, City staff are in the process of removing structures, including tents and wooden sheds from the park. The City of Toronto is reviewing media access for any future operations of this nature.

So far, 68 structures have been removed from the park, as well propane tanks and gasoline canisters. Removal of debris from the park continues.

Belongings and valuables that people staying in the encampment were unable to take with them are being safely stored by the City for up to 30 days. Occupants were able to take two bags with them if going to a shelter or hotel.

As outlined in the City Manager’s report to City Council in June, encampments contravene several chapters of the Municipal Code and are not a solution to homelessness. The health outcomes for people who stay outside are complex and serious. Individuals living in encampments are also at risk of contracting COVID-19.

TPS, Toronto Fire Service and Toronto Paramedic Services have responded to 146 service calls to Alexandra Park this year. The City continues to assist and protect people experiencing homelessness through COVID-19 vaccination, an increased focus on infection and prevention control (IPAC) measures in the shelter system, a pilot COVID-19 rapid testing program for new shelter residents and referring people to safer inside space with supports.

Since mid-December 2020, the City has opened 244 new affordable and supportive homes, including 100 modular homes. Currently, 82 projects are in the City’s affordable rental development pipeline, which will create 10,676 new, permanently affordable rental homes once completed. Over the next 12 months, the City is aiming to make at least 1,248 new permanent affordable and supportive housing opportunities ready for occupancy. This includes 798 net new affordable and supportive rental homes under the HousingTO action plan.

To this end, over the last several months the City has announced nine new supportive housing projects consisting of more than 700 new homes across the city. The new housing will be developed through acquisition and renovation of existing properties or modular construction on City-owned or controlled lands. A map and information is available online.

Bringing people inside means there are fewer people experiencing homelessness living outdoors and exposed to higher health and safety risks. Supportive housing offers a warm, safe place to call home; the necessities of life such as food, washrooms, and laundry facilities; and the opportunity for strengthened community connections.

All occupants of encampments and residents in shelters, including the hotel program, are offered a housing worker to help them move from a shelter into secure permanent housing.

Additional information:

  • More than 16,500 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to people experiencing homelessness and those precariously housed, and to staff working in the shelter sector.
  • As of July 16, 61 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 41 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • All shelter locations have now had at least one vaccine clinic offered on-site.
  • There are more than 6,000 shelter spaces in the city today.
  • There have been no active outbreaks in the City’s shelter system since June 8.
  • Almost 5,800 people experiencing homelessness moved from the shelter system into permanent housing from April 2020 to May 2021.
  • More than 1,770 people staying in encampments have been referred to safe inside spaces since April 2020.
  • Since last spring, the City has referred more than 780 people from Moss Park, Lamport Stadium, Alexandra Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park to safe inside space.
  • Since the start of 2020, Streets to Homes and partners have supported approximately 430 people living outdoors to move into permanent housing.
  • City and partner agency staff have engaged more than 20,000 times with people living outside, including those staying in encampments since July 2020.
  • The City has budgeted to spend $663.2 million on Homelessness and Housing First solutions in 2021, almost double the amount spent in 2019 at $365.8 million.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

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