Why is the County using this space for a shelter?

310 Division Street will help address our community’s urgent need for homelessness solutions by providing approximately 35 shelter beds with wraparound supports. Wrap-around supports are services that meet the individual needs of those accessing the shelter. This can include, counselling, financial services, life skills programming.

The County has a mandate to help provide shelter and support for vulnerable populations. This site is an ideal location to support people experiencing homelessness because:

• It is centrally located close to transit, health care services and pharmacies, employment and counselling services, food options for groceries, and other general supports that are available to any member of the community.
• It is zoned to fit the intended use.
• It has a good foundation to improve quickly for occupancy:
  • Toilets, showers and hygiene-related requirements exist.
  • Allows for retrofitting to align with varied types of housing, such as temporary shelter and transitional housing.
  • Has a mix of multipurpose and living space that will allow for safe shelter and housing options with onsite services to support people in meeting their life stabilization goals.
• It offers space for people to sleep and space for services such as health, employment, and food security.

In the short term, 310 Division Street will help address our community’s immediate needs. Longer term, it has the potential to also offer transitional housing that supports people, creates a sense of belonging, and meets individual needs, offering a pathway out of homelessness.