Item - 2023.EC8.15

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Received an update from the General Manager, Shelter Support and Housing Administration, on efforts to operationalize additional indoor spaces, including at the Better Living Centre, to add capacity to the 2023-2024 Winter Services Plan, as the first item of business at the Economic and Community Development Committee meeting on November 28, 2023. 

The City of Toronto's Winter Services Plan for the 2023-2024 season has positive components that will increase the number warm, indoor spaces for people seeking shelter in our city. These include the new addition this year of a 24-hour respite space to provide round-the-clock service to people looking to get indoors, as well as the new criteria for opening the City's Warming Centres, which was previously at -15 degrees celcius, to -5 degrees celcius and/or when Environment and Climate change Canada issues a winter weather event warning. As Shelter, Support and Houisng Administration staff have noted, this means that Warming Centres will be open for more days this season and remain open for longer periods.

Still, as we enter the winter season, it's clear that many people in our city are still struggling to find refuge from the elements, and that more needs to be done. With this in mind, as Chair of Economic and Community Development Commmittee, I am requesting an update on the work done to date to secure additional indoor spaces, including operationalizing the Better Living Centre to provide 24-hour respite services for people in need. I am also requesting an update on partnerships with organizations to add additional spaces, including for youth experiencing homelessness, to the system.