Councillor Bravo and community leaders welcome new shelter site for youth in Davenport

TORONTO — Today Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), Chair of the City of Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee, joined Gord Tanner, General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) to announce the development of six new shelter sites across the city, including one in Ward 9 at 1615 Dufferin Street.

The six new sites are part of the City’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, a 10-year plan to increase the stability of the shelter system and deliver shelter services that are responsive to the unique needs of different clients. The City has acquired the medical services building at 1615 Dufferin Street and will be doing significant capital renovations to transition it for shelter and program use. This site is scheduled to open after work is completed in 2027.

The City will be partnering with a social service organization to deliver shelter programming at 1615 Dufferin that will serve approximately 50 youth who are experiencing homelessness. The Davenport site, as with all six new sites, will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and include wrap-around programming and supports including physical and mental health care supports, employment supports, and recreational and social programming. The shelter will be designed to be converted to permanent supportive housing as a potential future use.

The City of Toronto has engaged Mihevc Consulting and Mediation as the Community Engagement Facilitatorto engage with local residents, businesses and organizations, and more information about this work can be found here: www.toronto.ca/1615dufferin

Two local organizations that serve the Dufferin & St. Clair community, Abrigo Centre and the Eritrean Canadian Community Centre of Metropolitan Toronto, have expressed their support for the new shelter site and their enthusiasm to work with the selected shelter provider to help youth who are in need of shelter, support, settlement services, and a pathway to a permanent home.

Quotes:

“Our city’s housing crisis impacts everyone – including youth. At least one out of every ten people experiencing homelessness in Toronto is a young person. It’s critical that youth have access to a safe roof over their head, as well as the programs, services, and supports that can help them when they are most in need. Davenport is a place where we take care of one another, and I’m happy to have local organizations in the Dufferin & St Clair neighbourhood welcome this new shelter and show our community support.”

-Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Ward 9-Davenport), Chair of Economic and Community Development Committee

“As a community-serving organization, we have seen the immense need for new shelter with wraparound supports in our city. Access to shelter and housing is a key part of enabling people in our community to meet their full potential. We welcome the City’s announcement of a new shelter site for youth in the Dufferin & St. Clair community and look forward to working alongside Councillor Bravo so that everyone feels welcome in our community.”

-Gila Raposo & Paula De Jesus, Co-Executive Directors, Abrigo Centre

“Ensuring that youth have what they need to be connected and thriving is a core part of our work in this community. We’re proud to be in the Dufferin & St. Clair community and look forward to welcoming our new neighbours at 1615 Dufferin St. We join Councillor Bravo and other community organizations in support of this new shelter that will help promote our shared goal of an inclusive community.”

-Michael Elias, Executive Director, Eritrean Canadian Community Center of Metropolitan Toronto

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Media contact:
Wyndham Bettencourt-McCarthy
Chief of Staff to Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Ward 9 - Davenport)
[email protected]