As Toronto gears up to host FIFA World Cup matches starting on June 12, the longstanding Better Living Centre shelter is set to close, leaving its current residents in search of alternative accommodations. The contract between the City of Toronto and the Better Living Centre officially ends on March 15, although the respite site will stop accepting new individuals later this month to allow for a gradual transition.
This decision comes despite the city’s winter plan aimed at assisting the unhoused, which is operational until April 15, and the fact that Toronto’s shelter system has been experiencing significant strain, operating at or above full capacity during a harsh winter. Lorraine Lam, a representative from the Shelter and Housing Justice Network, highlighted the pressing need for shelter space, stating that the city’s own occupancy statistics reflect that services have been running at over 105% capacity.
Lam emphasized the lack of available options for individuals who will be displaced, expressing concern that the city does not have an extra 250 available spaces to accommodate those affected by the shelter's closure. Don Boylie, the CEO of Exhibition Place, noted that keeping the space open beyond March 15 is not feasible due to obligations related to the World Cup. He commented, “We’re really not built to be a shelter place, but we know that there’s a role that Exhibition Place can play, and it’s a role we’re proud to play.”
Looking ahead, the Better Living Centre is scheduled for FIFA-related usage starting April 1 as part of Toronto's preparations to host six World Cup matches. Boylie mentioned that extensive logistics pertaining to the event, such as internet setup and security requirements, necessitate an orderly transition to the new use of the facility.
In the past, the Better Living Centre has closed early to facilitate the required winding down period prior to transition dates in contracted agreements. Advocacy groups have urged the city to adopt permanent housing strategies rather than short-term solutions that only provide temporary relief. Lam pointed out that individuals utilizing these temporary shelters often find themselves returning to homelessness once the winter season passes, prompting ongoing vulnerabilities.
To address the imminent closure of the Better Living Centre, the city has assured that anyone wishing to stay beyond March 15 will be offered alternative accommodations within the existing shelter system. However, many advocates are skeptical about the effectiveness of such transitional solutions, pressing the city for long-term strategies to provide stable housing and adequate support for the unhoused population.
