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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Toronto Unveils Expanded Winter Homelessness Plan
The City of Toronto has announced an expansion of its winter homelessness plan, which will run from November 15 to April 15 and increase both shelter capacity and housing spaces by 18 percent compared to the previous year. The move comes even as overall demand for homelessness services in the city has reportedly decreased in recent months.
Key Areas of Focus: Shelter, Outreach, and Housing
According to Gord Tanner, general manager of Toronto's shelter and support services, the city is emphasizing several key strategies for the winter. These include expanded shelter capacity, improved warming centre operations, additional surge space during extreme weather, increased street outreach, and support for transitions to permanent housing. Tanner made the announcement at a press conference held at Toronto City Hall.
Shelter and Housing Capacity Rises 18 Percent
The plan aims to add up to 1,533 new shelter and housing spaces, comprising approximately 588 permanent housing units and 505 new shelter spaces. In addition, 24-hour winter respite site spaces will be available. During periods when temperatures fall below -5°C, 254 warming centre spaces will be activated across five sites, with an additional 186 surge capacity spaces opening if temperatures reach -15°C or during severe winter weather events.
Demand for Homelessness Services Decreasing
Recent data from the city shows a decline in the number of people seeking homelessness services. Currently, about 7,000 people are accommodated in Toronto's shelters each night, down from 9,000 the previous year. The number of encampments has also fallen sharply, dropping by nearly 67 percent from over 353 encampments in October 2025 to approximately 118 in October this year. There has been a significant reduction in the number of refugee claimants using the shelter system as well, with only about 1,200 per night now compared to around 6,000 last year.
Efforts to Address Broader Systemic Issues
Tanner emphasized that the city's winter plan is just one aspect of a larger systemic response required to address ongoing challenges in affordability, housing, and healthcare. "Although we're having an unseasonably warm fall, it is important that we start to turn our minds towards the winter to support some of the folks who are continuing to stay outside," he said. He also noted that the city is working on introducing 1,600 new custom-built shelter spaces by 2033.
Federal Budget and National Homelessness Initiatives
The expansion of Toronto's plan follows the recent federal budget announcement presented last Thursday. The government has committed $11.2 billion over the next four years—and $17.8 billion "in future years"—to end homelessness in 10 years. Funding will support people moving from homelessness to stable housing, build mental health and addiction facilities, and bolster prevention programs. An October survey conducted by Abacus found that one in ten Canadians have experienced homelessness, and one in three know someone affected by it.
Source: cbc.ca.
