TORONTO — Staff on the entrance line of Toronto’s homeless disaster say the vacation season has been robust for these dwelling on the streets, as colder temperatures set in together with emotions of isolation.
“Whether you’re a newcomer and it’s your first Christmas away from the family, whether you’re Canadian-born and your family is still far away or not speaking to you for whatever reason, it’s hard for people to be aware that they are not at home,” mentioned Michalina Seidl, a case supervisor at Bethlehem United.
“People who find themselves staying in a shelter are common individuals. More often than not they’re probably the most susceptible….So simply bear in mind to be type to individuals, since you by no means know what they are going by means of.”
Valentina Diaz, a supervisor at Fred Victor Bethlehem United Shelter, says the season exacerbates the “emotional heaviness” homeless individuals face year-round.
“Having to go through life hardships on your own can be particularly hard for people that are living on the streets or in shelters,” mentioned Diaz.
Diaz mentioned among the many homeless individuals struggling are refugee claimants who now make up a big portion of the individuals at present utilizing town’s shelter system.
Earlier this 12 months, town mentioned there had been greater than 2,500 refugee claimants within the shelter system in 2023.
By the top of that 12 months, that quantity had grown to almost 4,200.
Diaz mentioned shelters have executed their greatest to help elevated variety of refugees.
“We had to open that availability of beds to them because they were coming to a new country and they didn’t have any resources or any sort of supports,” she mentioned.
Diaz mentioned her shelter additionally hosted a vacation get together not too long ago for residents with video games, music and meals so that they really feel much less remoted.
“We try to make it as joyful as possible, and just make it known that even though they’re not related, there is a community here that they can support and rely on,” mentioned Diaz.
Earlier this month, Toronto’s Ombudsman Kwame Addo launched a report investigating town’s Could 2023 resolution to cease permitting refugee claimants to entry its base shelter system beds, discovering that the choice was “inconsistent with city policies” and “amounted to systemic racism” as some claimants have been turned away from shelters even when beds have been accessible.
The ombudsman made a number of suggestions to town, together with clarifying processes for refugee claimants.
Metropolis Supervisor Paul Johnson wrote in a letter that he didn’t agree with the report’s findings and “would not take further action” in response to the suggestions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 25, 2024.
Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
