Safe Neighbourhoods. Responsible Shelters.
TorontoNeighbourhoods
Toronto
with us
A coalition of Toronto residents and businesses fighting to separate homeless shelters from schools, daycares, and senior residences.
We believe people experiencing homelessness and local residents both deserve safety, dignity, and support.
Safe shelters. Safe neighbourhoods.
The Stats
~20
New shelters approved
Dozens
More planned for Toronto neighbourhoods
~$1B
Projected cost
What we do
Safer planning.
Better support.
Real accountability.
Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto advocates for responsible siting and accountable operation of 24-hour emergency shelters, so people experiencing homelessness receive dignity and meaningful support, and neighbouring residents, children, and businesses can live and work in safe, livable communities.
How we show up
- 01Advocating for responsible siting of 24-hour emergency shelters, a safe distance from homes, schools, parks, daycares, and senior residences.
- 02Calling for stronger public-safety, transparency, operations, and accountability measures around shelters.
- 03Pushing for clear emergency-response and de-escalation procedures.
- 04Calling for transparent reporting of incidents, complaints, and corrective actions.
Concerns we are raising
- Lack of community consultation and democratic accountability.
- Inadequate support for mental health and addiction needs within emergency shelters.
- Distribution of harm-reduction supplies (needles, glass pipes) contributing to public drug use and related activity.
A local example
St. Felix Centre
629 Adelaide Street West · 50 beds
54 metres from St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School; one block from Niagara Street Junior Public School. July 2026 reported stabbing at shelter. Shelter resident flees from police onto neighbouring properties and is arrested at gunpoint in the heart of the residential neighbourhood.
What we
believe in.
Treatment & Recovery
Many people experiencing homelessness suffer from drug addiction and mental illness. They need treatment, not tools to continue their dysfunction.