Salvation Army looking to Leslieville for men's homeless shelter

Photo: Google

The Salvation Army is proposing to open a men's homeless shelter in Leslieville at Eastern Ave. and Leslie St.

In a letter to area residents, the charity organization said it's proposing an 80-bed shelter for homeless men between the ages of 18 and 70-plus that would offer three meals a day, counseling, housing placement and referrals to other services. The shelter would provide support 24/7 and residents wouldn't have to leave during the daytime.

The Salvation Army has been on the search for nearly two years for a suitable replacement location after the lease ended on its Hope Shelter at College and McCaul.

While the location complies with Toronto's Municipal Shelter By-law requirements, city council must still approve a shelter for use at this site. The first step in the approval process is a city staff report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27. To voice your view or to speak at the meeting, you can email cdrc@toronto.ca or call 416-338-5089.

Council will then vote on the shelter location at its Feb. 3 and 4 meeting.

The community is invited to learn more about the proposal at a drop-in open house hosted by the Salvation Army and the City of Toronto’s Hostel Services Division on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 30 Knox Ave. (Toronto Fire and EMS Training Centre).

Ward 32 Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, as well as representatives from the City of Toronto and 55 Division police station will be on hand to field questions.