Some City of Toronto officials took part in a virtual information session to explain and answer questions from concerned residents about a proposed shelter in New Toronto.
Facilitator Violetta Ilkiw, Project Coordinator Loretta Ramadhin, Alison Folosea, of the City’s Corporate Real Estate Management Office and Steve Hilditch, a site designer, joined Ward 3 Councillor Mark Grimes on October 20 in a two-hour presentation that included background, followed by questions from residents.
There were many thoughtful questions posed by the more than 100 residents who logged in to ask questions of City staff by telephone or online.
Grimes noted that many residents have mixed feelings about the project and he introduced a motion for public consultations to be held at the beginning of the project, rather than towards the end.
He said City staff have been meeting with stakeholders of the project, including the Lake Shore Village BIA, New Toronto Ratepayers Association, LAMP, Women’s Habitat and others.
Council will decide soon if the 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W. site will be used as a shelter, or provide other housing opportunities as permanent or affordable housing.
A City map shows that Ward 3 only has one shelter, and adding another will help meet the goal of Council to spread out housing services, according to Ramadhin.
“We believe that Ward 3 can accommodate another shelter,” she told residents, “Adding another shelter will help carry out the goals of the City.”
She said the purchase of the New Toronto properties is slated to close in December, with renovations to take place in 2021 and to open for clients in 2023.
“We want to create community space that is available in the heart of the community,” Ramadhin told the virtual meeting.
Some residents said there is a need in the area for more shelters for single men, women and seniors, in addition to food security, hygienic supplies and shelter wrap-around services.
Others voiced concerns of the financial impact a proposed shelter will have on businesses and a possible increase of crime in the area.
Ramadhin said the facility will not be open for two years and will be integrated into the community and should pose little or no risk to area businesses.
She said they work closely with Toronto Police and “are committed to community safety.”
“We have a zero tolerance for crime in the shelter,” she warned. “Clients will be discharged if they act violently in the shelters.”
She said the facility, depending on what the City rules, will have room for 80 beds for single people, or beds for 80 families.
Ramadhin said a shelter is required in the area “because many people do not want to go downtown for services and want to stay in their own area.”
She said the site was chosen because it is TTC accessible, meet zoning standards, purchase price meets market value, close to pharmacies, health care, parks, schools and daycare among other amenities.
Folosea said between 2018 and 2020 the City looked at 49 properties for use as shelter or housing, with 10 of those in Ward 3.
She could not comment on the purchase price of the buildings since they are undergoing due diligence checks.
“We are obliged to ensure that the project meets market value,” Folosea said. “A third party appraiser was also used.”
Hilditch said the ground floor of 2950 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is suited for commercial activity or community use ‘to engage the community.’
There is a Community Safety Walk on October 24, in which a tour with up to 15-people will look at security issues in the area.