With the need for safe indoor spaces at an all-time high, faith leaders gathered at City Hall today alongside Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Alejandra Bravo, and members of City Council to support shelters and services along the housing continuum to assist people who are unhoused.
Faith leaders join Mayor and Councillors in call for a caring and supportive approach to shelters and homelessness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2024
TORONTO — With the need for safe indoor spaces at an all-time high, faith leaders gathered at City Hall today alongside Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Chair, Economic & Community Development Committee), and members of City Council to support shelters and services along the housing continuum to assist people who are unhoused.
“I’m seeing people struggling with food insecurity and housing insecurity from Mimico to Malvern, from Parkdale to Birch Cliff. We welcome the initiatives of the city as they pursue these goals” said Bishop Kevin Robertson of the Anglican Church Diocese of Toronto. Robertson continued. He invited Torontonians to “join with us in this movement of solidarity where we care for our neighbours in greatest need.”
Over 12,200 people are currently staying in shelters and bridging programs in Toronto. New shelters and services will help the 230 people who are turned away each night because there are no available shelter beds. The seasonal Winter Services Plan adds more temporary spaces in shelters and Warming Centres, but City staff have acknowledged that it alone may not be sufficient to meet demand.
Rabbi Shalom Schachter, a member of the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition’s executive, shared that “We are here to support the Mayor and Councillors’ initiative to develop shelters and affordable housing, and we need to go further.”
“Our faith community has always stepped in [to provide support for unhoused people]... we will continue to support the City in as many ways as possible.” said Imam Dr. Abdul Hai Patel, founder of the Canadian Council of Imams and Trustee for the Ansaar Foundation, who has served as a community leader for 55 years, including as the Toronto District School Board’s Trustee for Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.
To increase shelter system capacity and stability, the City has launched the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy – a 10-year plan to create new shelter sites that are specifically designed to meet the needs of different clients.
“A shelter is a step towards a permanent home – a critical support for someone who has lost their housing and is living outdoors,” said Councillor Alejandra Bravo, Chair of the City’s Economic and Community Development Committee. “Shelters are essential city services, like fire stations and libraries. They belong in all communities.” Bravo also spoke about her experience living in a shelter when her family first arrived in Canada as refugees.
In addressing recent rhetoric regarding people experiencing homelessness and the services that will help them, speakers called for communities to contribute to positive and supportive solutions, and for a caring approach from all levels of government.
More Information:
- Members of City Council present included Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Amber Morley (Ward 3, Etobicoke—Lakeshore), Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 4, Parkdale—High Park), Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Ward 9, Davenport), Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Ward 10, Spadina—Fort York), Councillor Chris Moise (Ward 13, Toronto Centre), Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto—Danforth), and Councillor Jamaal Myers (Ward 23, Scarborough North).
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Media contact: Wyndham Bettencourt-McCarthy, Chief of Staff, Office of Councillor Alejandra Bravo, [email protected]
