City of Toronto must reconsider plan for a low barrier respite site at 629 Adelaide St.W
City of Toronto must reconsider plan for a low barrier respite site at 629 Adelaide St.W
The Issue
Niagara Neighbours for Community Safety (NNCS) is a collection of parents,
residents, and businesses in the downtown west area of Toronto who oppose the plan developed by the City of Toronto (the City) to convert 629 Adelaide Street West into a 24-hour low-barrier respite site.
The site is set to open in early 2024 and is a 30-second walk from St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and a two-minute walk from Niagara Street Public School. This is the relocation of a respite site where significant public safety issues occurred.
Respite sites provide temporary shelter, food, and support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They are often known as unwelcoming environments and are a temporary solution for people in crisis. The site the City has chosen to lease is an aging and poorly maintained building at 629 Adelaide Street West, which is located in the heart of a densely populated neighbourhood. It is well-documented that respite sites significantly impact public safety in communities. We believe these services should be well-planned, properly located, and well-designed — taking into consideration both the people accessing the site and the community where people live and work.
Homelessness is one of the most significant issues the City is tackling. NNCS fully understands the need for increased services. However, the City has not engaged with our neighbourhood about the plan for this site. There are currently 10,000 homeless people in Toronto seeking services, and the City truly needs the support of all local communities in these decision-making processes — even with delegated authority.
Without timely engagement, communication, and public education with all stakeholders in communities — especially early on in the process when sites are being considered — the City further stigmatizes homelessness. This has repeatedly led to conflict, misunderstandings, frustration, fear, and anger in neighbourhoods and can eventually result in disinformation campaigns on social media. A properly planned process leads to better outcomes.
We are asking the City of Toronto to reconsider their plans for the proposed site. Let’s find a better way to work together and support everyone in Toronto, including those who are in need of social support services.
Please sign this petition to ensure safe, secure, welcoming, and livable communities in Toronto.
To receive updates, sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/subscribetonncs
For more information, please visit: http://niagaraneighbours.org
The Issue
Niagara Neighbours for Community Safety (NNCS) is a collection of parents,
residents, and businesses in the downtown west area of Toronto who oppose the plan developed by the City of Toronto (the City) to convert 629 Adelaide Street West into a 24-hour low-barrier respite site.
The site is set to open in early 2024 and is a 30-second walk from St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and a two-minute walk from Niagara Street Public School. This is the relocation of a respite site where significant public safety issues occurred.
Respite sites provide temporary shelter, food, and support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They are often known as unwelcoming environments and are a temporary solution for people in crisis. The site the City has chosen to lease is an aging and poorly maintained building at 629 Adelaide Street West, which is located in the heart of a densely populated neighbourhood. It is well-documented that respite sites significantly impact public safety in communities. We believe these services should be well-planned, properly located, and well-designed — taking into consideration both the people accessing the site and the community where people live and work.
Homelessness is one of the most significant issues the City is tackling. NNCS fully understands the need for increased services. However, the City has not engaged with our neighbourhood about the plan for this site. There are currently 10,000 homeless people in Toronto seeking services, and the City truly needs the support of all local communities in these decision-making processes — even with delegated authority.
Without timely engagement, communication, and public education with all stakeholders in communities — especially early on in the process when sites are being considered — the City further stigmatizes homelessness. This has repeatedly led to conflict, misunderstandings, frustration, fear, and anger in neighbourhoods and can eventually result in disinformation campaigns on social media. A properly planned process leads to better outcomes.
We are asking the City of Toronto to reconsider their plans for the proposed site. Let’s find a better way to work together and support everyone in Toronto, including those who are in need of social support services.
Please sign this petition to ensure safe, secure, welcoming, and livable communities in Toronto.
To receive updates, sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/subscribetonncs
For more information, please visit: http://niagaraneighbours.org
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on October 19, 2023