Mayor Tory and City Councillors call for 1,000 new, real shelter beds. But when?

This is an important development. Mayor Tory and 7 City Councillors, notably councillors who chair budget, board of health, affordable housing and social services committees and strong advocates on homelessness jointly signed an open letter today calling for a number of shelter reforms including 1,000 new shelter beds and the continuation of winter respite sites past the April 15 closure date. However, conditions in winter respite sites must meet a higher standard - at minimum that of United Nations Refugee Camps. This picture taken in a Toronto 24-hour winter respite is not acceptable.