Local advocates are disappointed with the city’s new winter service plan and are calling on all levels of government to do more to address growing shelter demands.
This year, the city of Toronto will be adding 530 temporary beds in the shelter system; 218 spaces will be free in four Warming Centres when the temperature dips below minus five degrees. Or in the case that Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a winter weather warning.
An additional 164 spaces will open for surge capacity, including an extra warming centre if weather goes below 15 degrees celsius.
In this interview, outreach worker Greg Cook says the City could be doing more. Data from the city of Toronto shows at least 223 “unmatched calls” daily to Central Intake go unanswered. And right now, over 10,000 are experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, Councillor Alejandro Bravo agrees the new beds won’t cover the fast-growing demand, but says the province and federal governments need to step up.
