The City is working to open new shelter sites and enhance existing ones to add stability to the shelter system and respond to the growing need for emergency shelter and wrap-around support services. Although the City continues to provide shelter to thousands of people, hundreds of people are unable to be matched to shelter each night.
Work to develop shelter sites is being guided by the City’s 10-year Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) approved by City Council in November 2023.
The Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy outlines the City’s short, medium and long-term goals to transition the shelter system from an emergency focused pandemic response to a long-term proactive service model that supports recovery, adds stability and guides strategic capital planning. This includes ensuring existing shelter infrastructure is well-designed, efficiently managed, resilient and kept in a state-of-good-repair.
The City opened a number of temporary shelters to provide additional space for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of these shelters are located in hotels, which were not designed for shelter use and are more costly to operate.
Through the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, the City is gradually moving away from using temporary sites, and toward smaller, purpose-built shelters that are more cost-efficient and responsive to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The City aims to open up to 20 new shelter sites by 2033, which will help to offset capacity lost as the temporary sites close.
In February 2024, Toronto City Council approved extending temporary shelter hotel leases and contracts for the medium-term (approximately 3 to 5 years) where possible, until the new permanent spaces are available. By executing longer, multi-year commitments while new spaces are being built, the City is:
This will support positive outcomes for shelter residents, service providers and the broader community.
Under the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, the City plans to open new shelters across Toronto, with a focus on locations where there are current gaps in services.
Between 2024 and 2033, the City plans to develop up to 20 new purpose-built shelter sites, creating a total of approximately 1,600 shelter spaces. These new sites will:
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 support to as many people as possible. This delegation accelerates and depoliticizes the shelter development process, strengthening the City’s ability to secure properties in Toronto’s competitive real estate market. Additionally, it aligns with a human rights-based approach to housing and related services for vulnerable residents.
To be considered, potential shelter sites must:
Additional factors considered by City staff include building condition, associated lease or purchasing costs, and the long-term potential for a site to be converted into supportive housing.
The new shelters will be thoughtfully designed to better serve the needs of clients and staff in an environment that promotes dignity, comfort and choice. New shelters will be built according to best practices outlined in the Shelter Design & Technical Guidelines, which were developed through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
New sites will:
Examples of recent shelters built following principles in the Shelter Design & Technical Guidelines include: 101 Placer Crt., 4117 Lawrence Ave. E., and 705 Progress Ave.
Community engagement is essential in the City’s process of opening new shelters.
The City’s engagement and planning process is focused on how communities can support and improve the success of a new service instead of the shelter location. This is done by:
While the City is not required to consult with residents when choosing a shelter location, the City is committed to engaging communities and focusing efforts on how best to support and integrate the shelter into the neighbourhood.
Community engagement varies based on the type of program and location of new sites. Staff work with local councillors to develop engagement plans tailored to each neighbourhood, which may include tactics such as:
Below is a list of shelters that are currently involved in community engagement. See location-specific webpages below for more information about the shelter site and details on how residents can get involved.
| Site | Expected to Open | Project Type |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Youth Shelter | Open | Expansion |
| 629 Adelaide St. W. | Q1 2025 | Relocation |
| 2299 Dundas St. W. | Q2 2025 | Relocation |
| 545 Lake Shore Blvd. W. | Open | Temporary Shelter |
| 67 Adelaide St. E. | 2025 | Expansion |
| 2035 Kennedy Rd. | Open | Temporary Shelter |
| 185 Yorkland Blvd. | Open | Temporary Shelter |
| 1677 Wilson Ave. | Open | Temporary Shelter |
| 233 Carlton St. | Q1 2025 | Relocation |
| 25 Canterbury Place | Q1 2025 | Reopening |
| 2535 Gerrard St. E. | Early 2027 | Expansion |