Toronto to open first 2SLGBTQ+ shelter for adults

It’s the first of its kind in the city, a transitional shelter aimed at creating a space for Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ + community with a focus on refugees and trans women.

Curran Stikuts, the Director of Public Interest and Community Relations at the 519, says for decades, 2SLGBTQ+ people have been more likely to experience violence in the shelter system.

“Pretty horrific incidents of violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, theft [have occurred],” said Stikuts. “We have reports going back 20 years about the deep needs the 2SLGBTQ folks have in relation to accessing safe and affirming shelter space.”

According to the City of Toronto’s most recent Street Needs Assessment, an estimated 12 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto identify as 2SLGBTQ+, with 3.1 per cent identifying as trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit.

Officials say those numbers are also likely an under-representation because of a hesitancy to disclose one’s identity and concerns about safety and discrimination in the shelter system.

In a Trans PULSE Canada study of both 2SLGBTQ+ people who experience homelessness and 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers are said to have experienced higher levels of violence and harassment.

“Our hope is to create specific spots for 2SLGBTQ+ community members to be able, through training and through shared understanding of the values of our community and the deep need of our community… to create a space where people feel safer and more welcomed to express who they are,” Stikuts added.

The 519 has partners from within the city who funded $30,000 to help support the development, along with a one-time start-up amount of nearly $121,000 for the site renovations.

The building, located in Toronto’s west end, has about 20 beds. The shelter will provide housing staffers who will work with clients to develop a permanent housing plan.

Those that may be in need or interested are asked to contact the 519 for a referral.