Shelter lease at 545 Lake Shore will not be renewed

Message from Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik and please read about Dunn House, a new supportive housing initiative (at the bottom of the page).

I'm writing to share a crucial update regarding the temporary shelter site at 545 Lake Shore Blvd W. The City of Toronto has made the decision not to renew the lease for this site, and the shelter services will be responsibly and compassionately wound down by September 2026.

I heard from many neighbours in Bathurst Quay who sought clarity on the lease renewal decision. In response, I formally requested Gord Tanner, the General Manager of Toronto Shelter & Support Services (TSSS), to detail the decision-making process. He affirmed that this significant decision was based on several key factors:

• The site’s temporary nature: As the building awaits redevelopment, its former use as an office space severely limited capital improvements.

• A strategic shift in City policy: Prioritizing more cost-effective, purpose-built permanent shelter infrastructure that aligns with long-term housing solutions.

• Stabilization of shelter demand in Toronto: This progress allows the City to focus on quality, scale and location of emergency spaces.

• Proven success in housing transition: Significant progress in moving residents from the shelter system directly into permanent housing with full supports.

• Ongoing building issues: Including recent plumbing failures and a summer power outage, which underscored the unsuitability of the temporary sites for long-term shelter use.

As you know, this site was established to be a short-term, crisis-response measure. When it opened in 2018, and especially throughout the COVID emergency, it was a vital, temporary use of a former office building slated for redevelopment. It successfully provided immediate support during a moment of profound and urgent need.

The City’s progress has been remarkable. Over the past year, shelter demand in Toronto has stabilized. Crucially, in 2025 alone, the City successfully moved approximately 4,750 people from the shelter system into permanent housing. Building on this momentum, the City is now dedicating resources to smaller, permanent, purpose-built shelters that integrate best practices in service delivery and long-term support. I know many of you advocated for this new, effective approach that ensures residents across Toronto receive the housing supports they need in their neighbourhoods.

City staff are now actively supporting all current residents to ensure a smooth transition into permanent housing or other appropriate spaces with comprehensive wrap-around supports. Clear deadlines have been established to manage this process with certainty:

• May 1: Stopping new admissions.

• August 31: All shelter residents relocated.

• September 30: Lease ends; building returned to the owner.

Throughout this critical transition period, outreach teams will remain highly responsive to any encampment concerns. Should you see someone in need of support, please continue to call 311 or 211.

I want to sincerely thank the many residents who stepped up during a moment of crisis and demonstrated the long-standing compassion of this neighbourhood. Your efforts were instrumental. Many of you advocated strongly for the City’s shelter capital plan. That plan is now allowing the City to build more appropriate purpose-built shelters across Toronto. Furthermore, your committed advocacy to the provincial and federal governments for expanded Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) support directly contributed to hundreds of residents securing permanent housing each month.

Your constructive engagement through the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), town halls, direct communication, and steady collaboration has made a monumental difference. Working together is the essential ingredient for getting people housed. We are committed to continuing this collaboration to ensure the City responds to the housing crisis with the seriousness and compassion it requires.

My office will maintain close coordination with TSSS to keep all stakeholders well-informed in the coming weeks. We now have a definitive timeline to prepare for the transition and ensure every resident is provided a stable, safe, and supported pathway forward. We will also be following up for updates on the timeframe for the site’s redevelopment.

Thank you again for your unwavering commitment to supporting your neighbours and our community. Please feel free to reach out to me and my team with any questions or comments.

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

Toronto City Councillor - Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York

416-392-4044 | councillor_malik@toronto.ca

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Read about a new supportive housing model – Dunn House

CBC News, The Canadian Press, October 3, 2025

"Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model. Local hospitals saved $1.66 million after 48 residents moved into Dunn House, says Dr. Andrew Boozary."

"Dunn House, a modular build, is part of the federal government's rapid housing initiative in partnership with the City of Toronto. The province helps with health funding through Inner City Health Associates, which provides nurses and doctors, while the United Way provides food."

"Frankly the biggest outcome is that 51 people are no longer homeless, they are actually in a housing that is permanent housing, that is well supported, has 24-hour access to support and food services and community supports," said Hambly, the CEO of the organization that helped build Dunn House."

Read the complete article on Dunn House with resident profiles

Listed heritage Crosse and Blackwell Building at 545 Lake Shore Blvd West.