{"id":15851,"date":"2020-12-03T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=15851"},"modified":"2022-10-09T06:40:14","modified_gmt":"2022-10-09T10:40:14","slug":"torontos-winter-plan-for-homeless-people-opens-560-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/torontos-winter-plan-for-homeless-people-opens-560-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto’s Winter Plan for Homeless People Opens 560 Spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Toronto has revealed details of its winter plan<\/a> for people experiencing homelessness in the city. Around 560 new spaces will open through April, including a combination of shelter beds, hotel programs, 24-hour respite beds, and supportive housing units. These spaces had increased from last winter when 485 spaces were provided.<\/p>\n

More space will be offered at warming centers, too. These are temporary emergency shelters that operate in Canada during the winter months when temperatures become dangerously low.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are doing everything we can as a city government to help our most vulnerable residents,\u201d said Toronto Mayor John Tory. \u201cThe winter services plan will start earlier this year to ensure we have the space and resources we need to act quickly once the cold weather hits.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, advocates warn the increase in beds still isn\u2019t sufficient as there is a growing number of rough sleepers living in the city\u2019s encampments since the pandemic started.<\/p>\n

The Demand for Emergency Shelter During the Winter<\/h3>\n

The winter plan is part of Toronto\u2019s Interim Shelter Recovery and Infrastructure Implementation plan<\/a>. This strategy outlines measures needed to protect homeless people and continue to offer shelter space while COVID-19 is prevalent.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, the winter plan will offer around 560 new spaces through April, including shelter beds, hotel programs, and supportive housing units. Along with the additional warming centers, these spaces add to the 6,700 spots in Toronto\u2019s shelter system available year round.<\/p>\n

This marks the fifth consecutive year Toronto has increased available spaces during winter, demonstrating that homelessness continues to grow.<\/p>\n

The spaces will include:<\/p>\n