Housing and Homelessness

Homelessness is growing in Toronto. In less than a decade, the numbers of people using nightly shelters has practically doubled, and the number of people using emergency shelters has increased by almost 40% (roughly 30,000 people, children included). We all know it, but it's worth mentioning again: in a city as rich as Toronto, people still die every year from living on the streets.

One of the factors aggravating our homeless crisis is the lack of affordable housing. While figures indicate that construction in Toronto is booming and that the vacancy rate is the highest it's been in 30 years, these figures don't tell you that these new homes are luxury condos downtown. The fact is that a third of Toronto families (about 350,000) spend more than 30% of their total income on housing and more than 100,000 families spend more than half their income on housing . With 45,000 households on the Toronto Social Housing Waiting List, it's clear that the affordable housing crisis is still very real.

The Federation of Metro Tenants Associations provides a stark picture of Toronto's rental housing situation:

*Average rent for a 2-bedroom apt in Toronto in 2003: $1153.00

*Gross annual income needed for a 2-bdrm apartment: $46,120 (rent should be 30% or less of one's income)

*Percentage of rental households spending more than 30% on shelter: 42.2%

*Percentage spending more than 50% on shelter: 20%

*Vacancy rate on "below average" 3-bdrm apartment in Central Toronto: 0.66%

* Vacancy rate on "Grade A" bachelor in suburban Toronto: 6.67%

One often hears that there is just no money for housing programs. This argument, aside from revealing that money is being valued above human beings and our rights, is also wrong. The fact is, it costs more to put people up in shelters than it does to let them live in a small apartment. The Mayor's own Task Force on Homelessness (1999) found that it costs $30-$43 per night to keep someone in a homeless shelter, but only $22-$30 to house a person in a pre-existing, self-contained, one- or two-bedroom apartment. Make that a new building, and the cost rises to just $36/night.

Fortunately, September 2003 saw some good news for housing and homelessness in Toronto. For the first time in 10 years, private developers announced a project to build 904 new low-income rental housing units in the city, thanks to the help of all three levels of government. Fort York Residence, a new 98-bed housing facility for homeless men, was also opened. Residents here will receive help in finding a job, saving money and moving into permanent housing.

Three things need to be addressed in order for the housing crisis to be solved: income, stock and support. That is, people need to have an income with which they can pay their rent. There also must be housing stock available - new affordable housing must be built. And finally, those who are homeless or near homeless need support to move from shelters and transitional housing into their own permanent homes. The Fort York Residence is a good model to replicate throughout the city.

Regarding homelessness, a number of measures should be put in place immediately:

• Specific parks should be designated as safe places of refuge. Security, portable toilets, and tents for warmth should be provided as well as other creative emergency shelters such as trailers, rail cars, mobile homes, etc.;


• Sleeping bags - equipped to handle severe cold weather temperatures - must be provided to homeless people sleeping outside, distributed by Toronto's social services;


• Each time a homeless death is reported, the City should fly its flag at half-mast.

For Humanize Toronto, human beings are the priority - above money - and housing is a human right, period.