Tag Archives: housing

Justice Issues

National Housing Strategy Update

by Michael Shapcott
On the second Tuesday of every month, two dozen or more people gather at the south doors of Holy Trinity for a memorial to remember, by name, those who have died on Toronto’s streets. The homeless memorial, which has close to 1,000 names, offers a small measure of dignity to people who have died without housing. Each month, the small gathering renews its call for a National Housing Strategy to end homelessness in Toronto and across Canada. Over the years, our quiet remembrance has reverberated in Parliament and in other halls of power.

Continue reading National Housing Strategy Update →

Justice Issues, News

help make emergency shelter space

faith leaders hold placards representing homeless deaths.
The Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness is demanding that the city declare an emergency and open 400 more shelter beds. ‘It’s up to you, Mayor Tory. Stop. These. Homeless. Deaths. Now,’ said Rafi Aaron, as he stood at the podium. (John Rieti/CBC)
CBC: Toronto faith leaders urge city to call shelter emergency, open 400 beds

Toronto’s homeless shelter situation is dire. The shelters are full, many people, especially women and families cannot even get a shelter bed. So far any actions taken by the City have failed to meet the basic need of shelter.

After many deputations at the November Community Development and Recreation Committee by community members, front line agencies, advocates, union locals and faith organizations – the Committee voted to support several motions calling on the mayor to declare the situation in the shelter system an emergency and to open 1,000 shelter beds to alleviate the Continue reading help make emergency shelter space →

Justice Issues, News

New Numbers Tell It All: Lack of housing is killing Torontonians

The new official numbers of homeless deaths from the City of Toronto released in late May were sad confirmation for those who have been gathering every month for almost two decades at Holy Trinity’s Homeless Memorial.
Toronto Public Health has reported that 27 people who were homeless died from January to March of 2017 – that’s a rate of more than two per week. If this pace continues, then more than 100 homeless deaths will be recorded this year – a record for Toronto.
People have been gathering around a plain gray memorial at the south side of Holy Trinity on the second Tuesday of every month at 12 noon. They remember, by name, the women, men and children who died from homelessness over the previous month. Continue reading New Numbers Tell It All: Lack of housing is killing Torontonians →

Activities & Events, Justice Issues

National Housing Day of Action Fri, Nov 18

right to housingNational Housing Day of Action

Food, water and shelter are some of the most fundamental human rights, yet Canada is facing an affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Everything begins with housing – without it, no one can truly live life with dignity.

On Friday November 18th, take the people’s pledge and join our National Housing Day of Action – take to the streets and march for the right to housing!

Gather at Queen’s Park at Noon and end the march at the Homeless Memorial outside Church of the Holy Trinity.  Details of the march here.

We encourage you to bring noise makers – pots, pants, cans, shakers, drums, etc. and join the drummers as we march!

To endorse the march as a group or organization, please contact: righttohousingcoalition@gmail.com
(Endorsers will be listed at http://www.acto.ca/peoplespledge)

The Canadian government has promised to fix the affordable housing crisis with Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy. On November 22nd, they will announce what they have heard people across Canada say is needed in a National Housing Strategy. We are calling for the government to ensure our National Housing Strategy will guarantee everyone the right to safe, adequate, and affordable housing.

We are here, loud and clear. Our message to the government is simple:

“This is Canada’s moment to make history. The federal and provincial governments have made the commitment to provide adequate housing to all. We, the people, are here to make a pledge that we will hold the government accountable to their promise.

  • No one shall ever feel a loss of their dignity because they don’t have a home.
  • No one shall ever have to choose between adequate food and housing.
  • No one shall ever have to live on our streets and sidewalks, or worry they may end up there.
  • No one shall ever have to pass on life’s opportunities because they don’t have a place to call home.

This is our pledge to everyone in Canada. Join our movement. Make your voice heard. Together let’s make a commitment that we will hold the government accountable.”

Activities & Events, Justice Issues, Worship

Homeless Memorial noon Tuesday, July 12

Homelessness is a year round condition for many of our city’s residents. Come and remember those who have died and talk about how we are working for change.

On Tuesday, July 12 we added a John Doe who died on June 17. A man who is reported as being homeless by the Toronto Sun was shot and killed by the Toronto Police after being tasered at around 9am, June 17. Here are 2 articles about the incident. No names have been released.
https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2016/06/17/man-dead-in-firearms-investigation-involving-toronto-police.html

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/17/siu-investigating-after-man-shot-dead

Visit the Toronto Homeless Memorial page and see the full list of people we remember every month.

Make your voice heard on a new national housing strategy by visiting the Federal Government input page Let’s Talk Housing.