South Etobicoke residents have waited a long time and will finally have a say into a proposed 95-bed New Toronto municipal shelter on October 20.
Councillor Mark Grimes, in his weekly update, wrote that a virtual (telephone and online) Information session will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“In an effort to practice physical distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and promote collective well-being, this information session will be online and phone in,” Grimes said.
His office is urging residents to send in their questions 24-hours in advance to a Community Engagement Facilitator.
City Council at its meeting last July 28 authorized the City of Toronto to enter into an agreement to purchase 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., for use as a municipal shelter, and possibly, affordable housing.
The closing date of the purchase is listed as December 2020, with construction to begin next year and with an opening date in 2023.
Council documents show that the buildings will be purchased for more than $13 million.
News of the proposed shelter has divided the community with those who want it relocated to another part of Ward 3 and not in a commercial area.
City officials said from 2018 to 2020 they looked at 49 property sites for a possible shelter in Ward 3.
They said activities are planned to ensure residents are informed including a community safety walk and a meeting with key stakeholders before the Information Session.
If you are not able to attend the meeting but have questions, you can get in touch with Community Engagement Facilitators Maria Crawford or Violet Ilkiw, of Barnes Management Group, at 416-800-2914 ext. 202.
They can be reached by email at 2950.70lakeshoreblvdwest@gmail.com
General enquiries to the City can be sent to ssha.homeless@toronto.ca
The call-in number for the Information Session is 416-915-6530 ext. The access code is 133 242 5334.
The link to the online session will be available one week before the session will begin. The website is www.toronto.ca ∕ShelterExpansionSites