What someone who lives in a Toronto encampment wants to see in their new mayor

Almost 90 people have been living in tents in Allan Gardens Park, some for almost two years. As Toronto prepares to welcome a new mayor, CityNews asked some of those living in encampments what they would like to see from the new person in charge.

Lynn Walker, a 63-year-old woman, has been living in the park in the city’s east end for the last 21 months.

“This is a community, and it’s also a family,” Walker said, adding that the park has become home for her and many others.

“Mom, mayor, sister, friends. They’re all family to me. I have friends, I never had friends before.”

Walker maintains most people in the park would leave if they had housing.

“They need a place to live. They shouldn’t have to live in a park,” shared Walker.

While Walker said she does feel safe, there are many issues with living in a park. There is no running water, no bathrooms, and rats burrow under the tents. There are also fights, stealing, and drug issues.

She admits she doesn’t know how much longer they’ll be able to stay.

“That depends on the city. That depends if they’ll come and bulldoze our tents.”

City councillor continues to house residents during “crisis”

The city moved in and evicted some encampment residents from parks two years ago. Activists condemned the move, as did Toronto’s Ombudsman, and it may be why this particular encampment remains.

Ever since city councillor Chris Moise was first elected eight months ago, he has been trying to find the balance between housing the homeless and respecting local residents who want their park back.

When asked if there was housing for those living in the encampment, Moise responded by noting that there is a housing crisis.

“There is a lack of housing, period. We know there is a housing crisis,” said Moise, who adds he has managed to get 60 people out of the park and into suitable housing.

Just four months ago, there were just 11 people living in Allan Gardens, but new people came and replaced them, representing an overwhelming, never-ending need. In the last few days, Moise has secured 50 shelter beds, but many in the park don’t want to be in a shelter.

“I believe a shelter is much safer than a park,” said Moise. “They don’t just need housing they need support, they do need wraparound services. [A] shelter is not permanent; it’s a stopgap to housing.”

Walker said her message to the incoming mayor is that people need housing in Toronto.

“They don’t just need housing, they need clean housing, they need space … they need kindness, they need respect and love.”

There are an estimated 10,000 people who are homeless in this city, and about 1,500 live in parks or on the streets. Advocates say 221 died on the streets last year.

What will each of the top mayoral candidates due for those who are unhoused?

Ana Bailão

• Double the number of modular homes built in Toronto to create long-term pathways out of homelessness with a goal of 1,000 new homes by 2031.
• Invest $5 million to expand the Dufferin Grove Park Pilot Project city-wide to support persons living outside. Expanding the human rights-based housing response, over 700 people currently live outside, which provides access to appropriate and supportive housing.
• Invest $5 million in post-pandemic recovery funding to assist non-profit and charitable shelter operators to retain and attract qualified staff.
• Developing a program to match the current waiting list of 700 individuals requiring accessible housing with accessible and affordable rental housing units being developed by the private sector.

Brad Bradford

• Force the federal government to the table to do its job and fund refugee support programs, including housing options, so people forced to flee war and persecution are not forced onto the streets and become homeless here.

Olivia Chow

• Strengthen the City’s approach to supporting people out of homelessness and keeping people housed.
• Create 1,000 new rent supplements to help people secure permanent housing.
• Open new 24/7 respite spaces so people have somewhere to go.
• Create a new fund for services, where community agencies, front-line workers and people with lived experience can determine how best to use it.

Anthony Furey

• Remove tent encampments in all parks, which are often scenes of violence, harassment, theft and serious drug abuse.
• Increasing security patrols by Toronto Police Services and other security personnel as available at parks and trails.

Mitzie Hunter

• Reduce homelessness with 24/7 warming and cooling centres and 400 new shelter beds.
• Doubling the capacity of street outreach programs to support people experiencing homelessness to move into permanent housing.
• Increase housing stability.
• Raise mental wellness.
• De-emphasize the sole focus on enforcement by transit officers and pair them with social workers to address the needs of vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, mental health and addiction issues.

Josh Matlow

• Create 2,000 new rent supplements and expand the qualifying criteria to help more people who are homeless transition into full-time, stable housing ($30 million annually).
• Open a year-round respite service instead of opening warming centres during extremely cold weather ($5 million).
• Improve standards in the City of Toronto’s shelter network ($15 million annual investment).
• Increase funding to the Toronto Drop-in Network for immediate access to meals, showers and other support ($5 million annual investment)
• Increase outreach to those experiencing homelessness and review “streets to homes” outreach operations ($1.1 million annually, or a 10 per cent increase in funding).
• Conduct a full review of shelter policies on security, bed checks, locker spaces, nutritious meals, harm reduction and overdose prevention programs and more.

Mark Saunders