Faith groups, forced to shut 9 shelters due to COVID-19, ask Mayor to call for Red Cross help.

Dear Mayor Tory,

We, the undersigned nine Out of the Cold Shelters (OOTCS), representing 387 mats in Toronto’s shelter system will be closing during the COVID-19 pandemic as it is in the best interest of our guests’ health to do so.

As you know we do not operate with shelter standards. Our guests are eating and sleeping in such close proximity they are coughing and sneezing on each other. This season these health risks were compounded as many of the OOTCS were running overcapacity. Most of the OOTCS do not have showers or sufficient toilets and sinks to allow guests to practice the hygiene protocols listed by Toronto Public Health.

The forced nightly migration of our guests to the various OOTCS creates the opportunity for multiple exposures to COVID-19. It also creates difficulty in tracing those who have come in contact with a person infected with the virus.

We have looked after our guests, who are your citizens, with the utmost of care and compassion for 32 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic when we are unable to do we are asking you to authorize the Red Cross to open a replacement shelter for 100 people that would have shelter standards, including 6 feet between mats or cots, sufficient toilets, sinks and showers, provide hot meals and remain open for the duration of the pandemic.

This needs to be done immediately. Our guests are extremely vulnerable. Many of them are elderly and have pre-existing health conditions including respiratory illness.

Sincerely,

Beth Sholom Sholom/Beth Tzedec Out of the Cold Shelter

Beth Emeth Out of the Cold Shelter

Blythwood Rd. Baptist Out of the Cold Shelter

Chinese Gospel Out of the Cold Shelter

First Interfaith at St. Mathew’s Out of the Cold Shelter

Holy Blossom Temple Out of the Cold Shelter

Lakeshore at St. Margaret’s Out of the Cold Shelter

St. Mathew’s Our Lady Peace Out of the Cold Shelter

Yorkminster Park Baptist Out of the Cold Shelter