An amended version of this deputation, which focused on the aspects related to zoning, was presented to Toronto's Planning and Housing Committee on July 15, 2025 in response to item PH23.3 - Advancing Six Sites for the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy by Shannon Spencer, Community Planner. The item was adopted by the committee, and was adopted with amendments by City Council on July 24, 2025.
Good day to the Chair and Committee Members,
My name is Shannon Spencer. I am here on behalf of Social Planning Toronto and Right 2 Housing Toronto network. These organizations focus on improving equity, social justice and quality of life in Toronto, and support the implementation of a rights-based approach to housing. I am also a neighbour to the proposed shelter development at Eglinton Avenue West and Caledonia Road.
I am here today to express strong support for the proposed zoning and official planning amendments and for the advancement of the six sites proposed through the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy.
Last week, the City released the findings from the 2024 Street Needs Assessment, which starkly revealed that as of October 2024, over 15,000 people were experiencing homelessness. This rate has more than doubled over three years. Roughly 1,600 people were sleeping outdoors and not accessing municipal shelters.
The City’s strategy aims to create 1,600 long-term and permanent shelter spaces by 2033. The proposed six sites will contain approximately 420 new shelter beds, representing roughly a quarter of the strategy’s goal. This is a critical first step.
It is important to clarify that shelters are already a permitted use on all six sites. Shelter use also aligns with the Provincial Policy Statement, which calls for a full range of housing options in every community. Additionally, these shelters are purpose-built and consistent with urban design guidelines and the neighbourhood context. They will offer not just shelter, but safety, dignity, and pathways to permanent housing. We must also recognize that shelters are a part of the housing continuum. They are a critical entry point to long-term housing and should be located in neighbourhoods, like any other essential public service.
In supporting these amendments, we respectfully recommend that the City:
- Approve all official plan and zoning amendments to support a timely development
- Proceed with the six sites, as part of the broader infrastructure strategy
- Ensure these shelters are linked to long-term housing solutions, including supportive and deeply affordable housing.
I want to end by emphasizing that these proposed changes are minor. Speaking personally as a neighbour of the Eglinton Avenue West and Caledonia site, the proposed site-specific provisions, such as adjustments to height, parking, and setbacks, are reasonable and consistent with the character of the neighbourhood and with planning legislation. The committee should move forward to prevent any delays. Any attempt to push back, deny, or delay these shelter beds will only further contribute to the rise of homelessness in our city.
Homelessness is not an individual failure but an outcome of policy decisions and systemic barriers. The government is obligated to prioritize the needs of those most impacted by this crisis and ensure access to shelters across all wards in the city. We urge you to lead with urgency, compassion, and a commitment to housing as a human right.
Thank you.