Ryan Donais, the Executive Director of Tiny Tiny Homes, has found a piece of land in Scarborough where he plans to build a micro-shelter community. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Donais's long-held dream to provide transitional housing for individuals moving from street life into permanent housing.
Donais expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "I still don't believe it. I'm still in shock and awe that this is actually happening." The proposed micro-shelter project aims to construct ten small homes and a large trailer that will function as a common area. In addition to these shelters, separate washroom facilities and on-site staff will be available to support residents. Each of the ten pet-friendly units will be equipped with basic amenities, including a bed, microwave, fridge, and storage space.
The land for this micro-shelter community is located behind a family-run bakery in the Birchmount Road and Danforth Avenue area. The bakery's owners have generously offered to lease the property to Tiny Tiny Homes for just $1 per year for a duration of three years. Sefonias Samuel, CEO of Sefonias Catering, remarked, "We saw it as space that we just had, and if we weren't going to use it for a bigger purpose, then we wanted to kind of give it to someone else who would."
The charity has estimated the total budget for the project at $350,000. However, they aim to completely fund it through private donations. Since the project's inception, numerous companies and individuals have stepped forward to contribute materials and volunteer their time to support its development.
Donais has been pleased with the community's response, stating, "The reaction has been absolutely heartwarming. The amount of people who have stepped up and the number of companies that have donated is incredible." He also noted the support from nearby residents, who are aware of the project's objectives.
City officials are currently reviewing the Scarborough micro-shelter project and have indicated that "appropriate actions will be determined based on the findings and applicable legislative requirements." Earlier in the year, the City of Toronto sought proposals from organizations interested in managing a micro-shelter site as part of a potential pilot project aimed at addressing homelessness. Donais was among those who submitted an application.
While awaiting feedback from the city, Donais remains optimistic about moving forward. He stated, "We haven't officially heard back from the city yet. We'd be excited to work with the city, but at the moment, we're progressing forward." Donais aims to have the Scarborough micro-shelter project operational within a few months to ensure that individuals have a safe space before the harsh winter weather arrives.
