The City of Toronto is advancing six rezoning applications, the first under its 10-year Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, in a push to deliver purpose-built shelter facilities. The projects look to address mounting demand within the shelter system, which now supports over 12,000 people nightly, while many remain unsheltered. The first six sites are intended to relieve geographic gaps in service and create safer, more stable environments for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Each of the six proposals is subject to City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment applications, moving forward plans first announced in December, 2024. Designed to accommodate approximately 50 to 100 residents per location, the shelters would reduce dependence on the temporary hotel model by introducing smaller-scale, permanent facilities. Estimates project savings of $127 per bed nightly and $74 million over two decades.

Five of the sites lie west of Yonge Street. At this stage of planning, only massing studies have been released. Here is a look at each, moving from west to east:

66 Third Street

In the New Toronto area of Etobicoke, the City proposes a 4-storey municipal shelter designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects. The compact infill site, located just south of Lake Shore Boulevard West, would house 50 beds within a single building rising 20.5m. Plans include one underground level and four bicycle spaces. The site’s 857m² footprint highlights how smaller-scale facilities can integrate into local neighbourhoods.