Former school board trustee Bruce Davis has stepped down from a City-hired Third Street shelter consulting position due to threats.
The president of a company hired by the City to work with the community to alleviate concerns of a proposed Third Street homeless shelter has resigned his day job due to threats against him and co-workers.
Bruce Davis, a realtor and head of Public Progress, in a post on social media said his office received a ‘hostile’ phone call from a resident who threatened to cause damage to those who work at his real estate company for work being done in regards to the planned shelter.
Davis said a caller threatened him, his company and co-workers by targeting his clients. He wrote he can take the heat but it is not fair for his co-workers.
Bruce Davis is the president of Public Progress consulting firm hired by the City to work with the community on the integration of the Third Street shelter.
“Basically, every agent’s livelihood was being threatened because of my connection to the broker and my unrelated consulting work for the City,” he wrote.
City spokesperson Elise Van Scheel said Davis is still a member of their shelter community consultative group.
“Mr. Davis and staff at Public Progress are continuing to answer questions and meet with key stakeholders and groups in the community,” she said by e-mail.
She said City staff are working with the local Councillor to confirm the date and format for the next community meeting. More information will be released shortly and posted on the City’s website.
Proposed Third Street shelter has become a divisive issue in a normally quiet community.
The former Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee and chair wrote that his real estate practice works with non-profit organizations across Ontario to lease or buy properties for affordable housing.
Davis is well-known by many for his community involvement, hockey, as a TDSB trustee, or through church activities.
“But anyone who knows me will tell you that the guy who threatened me and the brokerage has just redoubled my efforts,” he warned. “I never give up.”
The former school board official has chaired three committees and a working group that formed the Toronto Lands Corporation.
This parking lot on Third Street is the site of the proposed 80-bed shelter for the homeless.
Public Progress was hired by the City to help with a smooth integration of the controversial shelter. They company’s website said they design, build, finance and operate affordable housing through development consulting, project management, community engagement and ongoing advisory services.
The City said the Third Street shelter is one of 20 planned citywide. It is expected to be completed by 2030.
Davis’ post led to dozens comments from readers online in support or against the location of the controversial shelter.