Incidents of safety and health concerns are on the rise at the growing homeless encampment at Little Norway Park.
The city staff at the Encampment Office have shared that the current number of encampments is at 11, with 2 to 3 individuals being referred to indoor shelter a week since July. However, different individuals continue to arrive. Daily litter removal and sweeps for sharps and hazardous materials are conducted. Our Constituency Advisor, Marouan Malaeb-Proulx is working with the Encampment Office to see what community safety teams can be deployed to ensure safety and in particular around the playground.
The city-wide data shows that during warmer weather, encampments tend to grow throughout the city. There are currently 90 parks across the city that have encampments, bringing the total number to 288. There are currently 10,627 people staying in or seeking shelter in the city. City Council recently adopted the new the City’s Encampment Approach and Strategy to enhance paths to shelter and supports.
What you can do
If you witness illegal activity, medical distress or aggressive behaviour, please call 911. To help our city staff expedite the matter, please send incident reports (photos and/or descriptions of concerning activities) to the following:
Marouan Malaeb-Proulx
or
Councillor Ausma Malik
Streets to Homes can be reached by calling 311. They operate 24/7 and will do wellness checks, bring food, water, supplies, and assist with getting people inside and sheltered.
Homes First, operators of the shelter at 545 Lake Shore organize community clean-up days, which involve harm reduction workers to ensure safe handling of any needles, etc. There is also a resident clean-up team that goes out several times a week to help with this issue. Harm reduction partners provide community outreach to the encampments, as well 42 Division and their Neighbourhood Community Officers can help with non-emergency encampment issues. They can be reached at the non-emergency Police line 416-808-2222. It was noted that many of the drug users in the encampments at Little Norway Park are not residents of the shelter."
Street to Homes outreach and support program
Services and support for Individuals staying outside
Links to resources about the City's drug strategy, safety, and homelessness strategy.
SafeTO: This is a general overview of the City's Ten-Year Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
Toronto Community Crisis Service: The City's new alternative client centered approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, prevention and well-being.
HousingTO 2020-2023 Action Plan - a fulsome plan for action across the full spectrum of housing.
Housing & Homelessness Research & Reports: here you can find reports for issues relating to homelessness data to data on subsidized housing.
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