It Seems Logical-House People Where They Work

Panhandling/begging seems to be a source of income for the homeless so why wouldn't you reduce their travel time by housing them in an area where there is a high volume of traffic. And of course we want to make tourists feel at home in the same way most major urban centers allow begging in tourist areas. But the local councilor brings up a valid point; ""The most serious concern that was raised ... (was) there were worries about the homeless with all the hooligans from the entertainment district and whether or not these people would get a good night's sleep," he says." Only In Toronto!

Shelter in club district called `disaster' TheStar.com - News - Shelter in club district called `disaster'
Plan to locate homeless in entertainment area leaves resident `flabbergasted'
March 24, 2007
Raju Mudhar
Staff Reporter

The city of Toronto is considering putting a homeless shelter in the heart of the Entertainment district at the corner of Richmond and Peter Sts.

The plan is to turn the old Fez Batik club space into a 24/7 assessment and referral centre. The on-site shelter would have a 40-bed capacity. The plan has both residents and businesses, particularly club owners, concerned.

The new location is needed because the current centre at 110 Edward St. closes at the end of April to make way for 300 units of affordable housing, says Phil Brown, general manager of the shelter, support and housing administration division of the city.

"A building such as this is very good for conversion into an assessment and referral centre and shelter because it has high ceilings, wide open spaces and it also has a commercial kitchen," said Brown. "These are the kinds of things we look for."

The site also meets municipal bylaw standards for shelter locations, such as having the correct zoning, and being close to major roads and public transit. The plan also accords with the city's streets-to-home program, which has moved more than 1,000 people into permanent housing in the last two years. Brown said the plan is to have the shelter open by end of summer.

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