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Crucial Construction in the Durham Region

Writer's picture: Brianna TotaBrianna Tota
10 minutes ago1 min read

The Province of Ontario has recently increased investments to support people at risk of homelessness by funding a project to build more supportive housing in the Durham Region. The government provided over $8 million through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF), and more than $3 million in partnership with the Government of Canada through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI). This funding is crucial because it will allow for the construction of 27 transitional housing units in Beaverton and 18 affordable housing units in Whitby. These projects will provide services such as aiding individuals with building life skills, finding employment opportunities, improving mental health, and supporting addictions. Investments such as this are critical to addressing the rise in homelessness, and the programs that will be implemented at these housing units will be incredibly useful to help members of the unhoused community forge a path towards success.


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Government Investments and the Cold Weather Plan

Writer's picture: Brianna TotaBrianna Tota
Feb 61 min read

The City of Toronto recently released its Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS), which is a 10 year plan to expand the support provided to members of the unhoused community. The city plans to build 20 new shelters by the year 2033 and has already announced the locations of 6. Each of these shelters are designed to serve approximately 80 people and will accommodate many diverse groups. The shelters are driven by a focus of helping residents transition to stable housing, and these particular sites were chosen based on the demonstrated need in the area and suitability of the property in question. Additionally, the city announced that there will be an increase in services provided during the winter, including the activation of Metro Hall as a warming centre at -5℃ rather than -15℃, as was the case in previous years. The Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre will also be activated when temperatures reach -15℃ or colder, increasing the number of Warming Centres to 7. The cold weather that we have been experiencing recently has caused incredibly harsh conditions for the homeless community, and so it is crucial that the City of Toronto continues to expand its efforts to aid those who may be suffering.


For more information about the new shelters that are being planned you can visit www.toronto.ca/newsshelters


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Safe Consumption Site Closures

Writer's picture: Brianna TotaBrianna Tota
Dec 16, 20241 min read

Supervised consumption sites give individuals the opportunity to consume substances while under supervision in an attempt to prevent overdosing. Violent altercations have recently arisen in the vicinity of provincially funded safe consumption sites, and in an effort to protect the communities surrounding them, in particular, the children in those communities, the government has announced the closure of all such facilities that are within 200 metres of schools or child-care establishments. What ensues is the closure of 5 safe consumption sites in the city of Toronto, as well as the closure of 5 other sites located across Ottawa, Kitchener, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, and Guelph. Although these measures may be seen as beneficial for children, the potential outcomes are incredibly dangerous for members of the unhoused community, with several harm reduction workers believing that these site closures will propagate a drug supply that is toxic, and consumption at much higher risks of overdose. In light of the safe consumption site closures, the provincial government has announced that it intends to enact more supportive programs to help individuals recover from their addictions.


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