I have consistently advocated for stronger provincial support to truly address the deep-rooted issues of housing affordability and shelter capacity that contribute to the housing crisis. Inadequate programs and support for those living with addictions and mental health, coupled with a scarcity of deeply affordable housing, have brought us here. These crises are not new, but will not be solved without a provincial partner that is serious about tackling the root causes.
I hear your concerns about safety and the usability of public spaces; they are real and urgent. As candidates for the provincial election knock at your door this February, I ask that you urge them and their party to work with the City towards improved and sustainable solutions. We simply cannot do this alone.
Tiny Homes in St James Park
Over the past couple months, new trailer-like structures called Tiny Tiny Homes have appeared in St. James Park. Encampment Office and Streets to Homes staff have been addressing these structures the same way they have dealt with tent encampments in St. James Park: by conducting outreach and building relationships to help people transition to indoor space. I continue to be supportive of the City’s Housing First approach, as it has yielded great success with the other encampments in the ward. In seeking the removal of the Tiny Tiny Homes from our parks, I am also calling for the prioritization of indoor space for the people living in them - not for folks to be displaced onto the street.
I am supportive of micro-shelters as a solution to encampments – just not in our parks. Last year, I directed Toronto Shelter and Support Services to prioritize the development of immediate rapid shelter program models that address the unique needs of people living in encampments, including exploring the use of micro-shelters on vacant or under-utilized City-owned lands. However, these Tiny Tiny Homes--like tents--are not an adequate substitute for accessible indoor space. It is the City’s stance that these structures should not be permitted in our parks. City staff are working with the builder to determine a path forward that respects both the use of our parks for all residents and the needs of unhoused people for safe, appropriate shelter.
