Toronto Moves Toward Micro Shelters, Faces Land Challenges

The City of Toronto is advancing plans for a two-year pilot project to introduce micro shelters aimed at addressing homelessness. This initiative follows a previous conflict with local non-profit organization, Tiny Tiny Homes, which faced a cease and desist order for establishing tiny mobile homes in public spaces. The city has now opened a call for proposals as part of its ongoing 10-year strategy to combat homelessness.

City’s Shift in Approach

The city accepted proposals until October 12, 2023, with various organizations, including Ryan Donais and his non-profit Tiny Tiny Homes, participating in the process. Donais previously received a cease and desist notification last winter, instructing him to dismantle micro shelters he had set up in St. James Park. He later collaborated with city officials to find alternative accommodations for those affected.

While Donais welcomes the city’s newfound openness to micro shelters, he criticizes the requirement for applicants to provide land as part of their proposals. “The only way this works is when the city uses their land,” he stated in an interview with CBC Toronto. “It’s completely unreasonable to rent land when the city has vacant land that they can use.”

In response to these concerns, Elise von Scheel, a spokesperson for the city, explained that officials had spent a year assessing 44 potential sites for micro shelter communities. Ultimately, none met the necessary criteria for size and location. Furthermore, she noted that launching a micro shelter program could impede the progress of larger housing projects intended to serve more residents.

Land Availability Challenges

City Councillor Chris Moise, who previously advocated for micro shelters on underutilized parking lots owned by the Toronto Transit Commission, views the land requirement as an opportunity for exploration. “We’re just trying to do our due diligence by trying to make sure that we turn over every stone that’s available to us in the city of Toronto,” he remarked.

The stipulation regarding land usage has posed a significant challenge for other organizations, such as Two Steps Home. Lead advisor Robert Raynor emphasized the difficulty in securing land from developers for temporary micro shelter communities. “Finding land and finding a developer to support this has definitely been the most challenging aspect of responding to this expression of interest,” Raynor noted. The organization aims to utilize land slated for development until construction begins.

Founded by architect John van Nostrand, Two Steps Home also includes Sheila Penny, a former senior leader with Toronto Community Housing. Penny advocates for the benefits of micro shelters, arguing they can significantly ease the transition for individuals moving from encampments into permanent housing. “Living on the street is a full-time job,” she stated. “To go from that to having a community that’s stable and safe is a critical step in someone’s life cycle.”

As discussions continue with potential developers, Penny expressed optimism about establishing the first pilot community in Toronto. “We’re hoping that something will come out of it,” she said, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness.

Overall, the city’s initiative to explore micro shelters represents a significant shift in addressing homelessness in Toronto. While challenges remain, particularly regarding land acquisition, the focus on innovative solutions could pave the way for more effective support systems for the city’s vulnerable populations.