Toronto expands shelter spaces as winter threatens homeless residents
Toronto city officials have announced plans to bolster the city's strained shelter system ahead of the winter season. The city, along with local housing agencies and partner non-profits, will implement a program to accommodate people in emergency shelters. This comes as nearly 150 Torontonians are turned away daily due to lack of space, a figure expected to decrease this winter.
The city will open three 24-hour respites on Nov. 15, with another respite at the Better Living Centre set to open in December. This year's winter plan includes 490 extra spaces, slightly fewer than last year's 530. Measures to combat the cold include opening warming centres, adding beds to existing shelters, and utilizing surge spaces like meeting rooms in extreme conditions. Extended hours at daytime drop-ins will begin this weekend due to forecasted snowfall.
Last winter was particularly harsh, with extended periods of biting cold and heavier snowfall. To combat this, five warming centres with space for 244 people will open when temperatures reach -5°C or during extreme weather, with two more opening below -15°C. The city's overnight shelter capacity has dropped by around 1,000 beds in the last year, highlighting the need for these measures.
The city's winter shelter plan promises to add close to 490 extra spaces via respites and existing shelters, with space for 175 more people in contingency spaces when temperatures drop below -15°C. These initiatives aim to provide relief to those experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months.
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