Toronto Unveils Shelter Safety Action Plan to Protect Homeless Population and Shelter Workers

TORONTO – The City of Toronto has introduced the Shelter Safety Action Plan (SSAP), a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness and the staff supporting them within the city’s emergency shelter system.

Set to be reviewed by the Economic and Community Development Committee on November 26 and by City Council in December, the SSAP outlines 14 actions to be implemented over the next three years. These measures stem from recommendations made in the Shelter Safety Study, conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The study highlighted the significant challenges posed by the mental health crisis in shelter settings, noting that incidents in shelters are consistent with those observed in other service environments.

Addressing Safety Concerns
Safety has been a recurring concern within Toronto’s shelter system, which serves some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the importance of prioritizing health and safety, stating, “The steps in the Shelter Safety Action Plan will allow for important strides forward in keeping staff and people experiencing homelessness safe.”

The SSAP seeks to address the root causes of safety issues by implementing measures that protect the physical and psychological well-being of clients and staff. The plan places a particular focus on supporting Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Key Initiatives in the Action Plan
Among the proposed actions are:

• Enhancing staff training, particularly in areas such as de-escalation techniques and support for clients using methamphetamines.
• Expanding access to healthcare, mental health resources, crisis intervention, and harm reduction services.
• Developing specialized programs for individuals with histories of violence or high rates of incidents.
• Strengthening shelter policies on service restrictions and improving transparency for clients navigating these policies.
• Implementing new tools to address incidents of anti-Black racism, including safety plans and interventions.

Progress Already Made
The city has already implemented several measures to bolster safety:

• A Behavioral Risk Alert Safety System now notifies staff about clients with histories of violence, enabling proactive safety planning.
• Trauma-informed de-escalation training and operational strategies to support staff wellness have been rolled out.
• Infrastructure improvements at city-operated shelters have enhanced emergency response and risk mitigation.
• Enhanced harm reduction measures address the ongoing drug toxicity crisis in the city.

A Collaborative Approach
The development of the SSAP involved consultation with shelter providers, community stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. The city also worked closely with the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit to create safer environments for Black staff and clients.

As Toronto continues to face a housing affordability crisis, the SSAP represents a crucial step in ensuring that emergency shelters are safe spaces for both clients and workers.

For further details, the Shelter Safety Action Plan is available on the City of Toronto’s website.