The shelters became controversial with residents and local businesses shortly after opening when the surrounding area began experiencing unprecedented crime, vagrancy and vandalism, compounded by an unwillingness on the part of the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA), the City department responsible, to acknowledge the severity of the problems and take steps to address them. The proximity of the shelters to elementary schools, Northern Secondary high school, and several day cares, and SSHA’s acknowledgement that it lacks the authority to vet shelter residents for criminal histories, intensified community concerns.

Thanks to considerable public pressure on politicians at all three levels of government, a number of measures to address these problems were put in place: private security retained by the Upper Yonge Business Improvement Area (UYBIA) for businesses, increased police presence in the area, the creation of City-hired Community Safety Patrols around the local schools and surrounding streets, more security and other staffing at the shelter, and an increase in mental health, addiction, harm reduction, and other support services for shelter residents. SSHA also developed a School Safety Plan. These measures have collectively led to a considerable decrease in break-ins, alleged drug dealing and vagrancy. 

The owner-developer of the two transitional shelters on Broadway exercised his option to terminate the lease with the City early, forcing SSHA to close the Broadway facilities in early September. The Roehmapton shelter is expected to remain open for the duration of its lease term: 2-years with an option on a third year, at an annual rent of just over $2,000,000. 

SSHA also took a number of steps to improve communication with the community:  a virtual public information session in August attended by over 1000 people, regular Community Bulletins, and the establishment of a Community Liaison Committee (CLC), an advisory group consisting of City staff, Toronto Police Services (TPS), local politicians from all three levels of government, and representatives from approximately 20 community groups. LPRO was invited to be a member of the Roehampton CLC which meets once per month. The CLC is an advisory body with no decision-making authority or responsibility. Its role is to encourage Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) to optimize communication with the local community and make decisions that reflect community concerns. Through its participation on the CLC LPRO will continue to monitor developments and report to the community.

The Terms of Reference for the CLC, CLC meeting summaries, Community Bulletins and other information regarding The Roehampton Shelter can be found here: Community Engagement for Roehampton Residence – City of Toronto