The City of Toronto continues to assist and protect people experiencing homelessness through COVID-19 vaccinations, an increased focus on infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures in the shelter system, a COVID-19 rapid testing program for new shelter residents, and by referring people to indoor accommodation and access to a housing worker. Since June 15, 63 people staying in encampments were referred to safe inside space, including 38 this past week.
As outlined in the recent City Manager’s report to City Council, 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.
City staff attempting to assist those experiencing homelessness are increasingly facing intimidation, threats and criminal harassment by advocates or protestors at encampments. This behaviour is unacceptable, and the City is committed to ensuring that employees are protected from harassment in the workplace.
Currently, there are an estimated 51 people staying in encampments at Lamport Stadium, Moss Park, Alexandra Park and Cherry Beach Park, with far more tents and makeshift structures (more than 140) in those encampments than people.
The risk of fires in encampments is also high. There have been 120 fire events in encampments so far this year, including five in the past week. In 2020, Toronto Fire Services responded to 253 fires in encampments — a 247 per cent increase over the same period in 2019. The risk of serious injury or death to occupants of encampments, as well as to first responders and the public, as a result of fire, is serious.
So far this year, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Police Service have collectively responded to 117 emergency calls to the encampment in Moss Park alone.
Since mid-December 2020, the City has opened 244 new affordable and supportive homes, including 100 modular homes. Currently, there are 82 projects 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: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/affordable-housing-developments/
Bringing people inside means there are fewer people experiencing homelessness living outdoors and exposed to higher risks of health and safety. Supportive housing offers a warm, safe place to call home; the necessities of life such as food, washrooms, and laundry; 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.
More than 14,600 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 June 28, 58 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of June 21, 33 per cent of people staying in the City’s shelter system that week received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Additional key data points:
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 www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.
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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.