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Five shelters in the downtown core have closed in recent months. By spring, three more will shut their doors. In all, 410 spaces will be lost. More homeless people are being forced to the inner burbs. Maybe that’s the plan.
1. The Sanctuary , 25 Charles East. Cold fact: staffing issues and lack of funds are blamed for the closure of 20 shelter spaces.
2. Knox Presbyterian , 630 Spadina. Tuesday Out of the Cold program for young people closed. Forty overnight shelter spaces lost.
3. Edward Street Emergency Shelter , 110 Edward. Redevelopment forces loss of 120 shelter spaces.
4. St. Michael’s Cathedral Annex , 66 Bond. Construction forces the loss of 37 beds and a Friday Out of the Cold program.
5. 60 Richmond Shelter , 60 Richmond East. Co-op housing development causes loss of 70 shelter spaces.
6. All Saints Church’s Cornerstone , 315 Dundas East. Eighteen supportive housing units for women closed due to the cost of building maintenance.
7. Council Fire , 439 Dundas East. Funding shortfall leads to the loss of 50 overnight emergency beds.
8. Salvation Army, Riverdale , 312 Broadview. Remaining 45 beds will close in June 2007. Monthly reduction of spaces being implemented until then.
Source: Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
