Petition updateMayor Tory: Declare Homelessness An Emergency To Prevent More Deaths And Suffering

COVID-19: A Wake-up Call for Housing for All

Shelter and Housing Justice Network

Apr 21, 2020

"Researchers predict that when it comes to COVID-19, homeless people will be two to four times as likely to require critical care as the non-homeless population, and they will be two to three times as likely to die.

Around the world, cities have recognized the only prevention measure that will keep homeless people safer in a pandemic is “home,” that is, to literally provide them with a room, either by fast-tracking people into housing or by sheltering them in hotels.

Hotels are mostly empty. They can be leased, expropriated or purchased depending on their size. Using them will keep hotel workers employed, homeless people safe and allow service agencies to continue providing their usual staffing support." Cathy Crowe in OUR TIMES Magazine, Canada's Independent Labour Magazine