A result of the homelessness emergency: homeless encampments burn.

While Mayor Tory and City Council continue to refuse to declare a state of emergency on homelessness, homeless encampments burn. Meanwhile Vancouver city councillors advocate for a state of emergency in their city.

Early Sunday morning a serious fire in an encampment in the lower Don Valley in Toronto injured a number of people and they lost everything, including their dog who died when hit by a car amidst the chaos. This is the second serious fire this year alone.

On February 22, the night in question, the city's overflow 'shelter' system was full as usual.

24-hour Respite Sites:

463 individuals at seven (7) sites
351 Lake Shore Blvd. E.: 100. Capacity: 100.
1A Strachan Ave.: 99. Capacity: 100.
323 Dundas St.: 35. Capacity: 35.
21 Park Rd.: 30. Capacity: 30.
705 Progress Ave.: 49. Capacity: 49.
25 Augusta Ave.: 50. Capacity: 50.
69 Fraser Ave.: 100. Capacity: 100.

24-hour Women’s Drop-ins:

105 individuals at two (2) sites
Fred Victor: 60. Capacity: 70.
Sistering: 45. Capacity: 50.

Out of the Cold (OOTC) Sites:

72 individuals at one (1) site
Blythwood Rd Baptist: 72. Capacity: 65.

Photo: Greg Cook