Toronto councillors will consider keeping warming centres open 24\u002D7 for the rest of the winter.
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Councillor Alejandra Bravo — who helped introduce a motion that recommends the city provide 24-7 indoor warming locations until April 15 — said a lack of available spaces to take shelter from the cold means those experiencing homelessness are taking refuge in unsuitable public spaces. According to the city’s daily data on shelter occupancy, 99% of warming centre spaces were occupied on Friday when an extreme cold warning was in effect — with only one space unoccupied.
The city was not able to provide specific costs associated with operating the warming centres, stating they vary depending on factors like location and the number of days a site is open. Diana Chan McNally, a harm reduction case manager at the non-profit All Saints Church, said the city needs to prioritize funding for more spaces for unhoused people over increases to the police budget.Article contentToronto Mayor John Tory announced a proposed $48.3-million increase to the police budget, which would in part go toward the addition of about 200 officers and bring police funding to just over $1.1 billion for 2023.
However, Rob Mastroianni, manager of homelessness and housing support, said the 21 available spaces at the Hamilton’s only coed overnight drop-in centre have generally been at capacity in recent days. As a result, users have to be cycled in and out every hour, he said.
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