City to close emergency shelter site at 45 The Esplanade

The city said its operating partner, the Homes First Society, will relocate all residents at the shelter by Dec. 31.

Thestar.com
Oct. 12, 2022
Isaac Phan Nay

The city of Toronto is decommissioning an emergency shelter in St. Lawrence; current residents will be relocated by the end of the year, the city said.

In a press release, the city said the shelter at the Novotel hotel at 45 The Esplanade will no longer accept new admissions starting Wednesday. Closing the shelter is part of Toronto’s plan to close temporary shelter sites commissioned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

25 temporary shelter sites are still open, the city said.

The shelter at 45 Esplanade is the third temporary shelter Toronto decommissioned this year, after the city closed shelters at 195 Princes’ Blvd. and 1684 Queen St. East.

The city has also purchased two properties that are being renovated into affordable housing units. According to the city’s press release, 222 Spadina Ave. will provide affordable housing for 84 people and 4626 Kingston Rd. will provide affordable housing for 22 people.

45 The Esplanade will return to operating as a hotel by 2023.

The city said its operating partner at 45 The Esplanade, the Homes First Society, will relocate all residents at the shelter by Dec. 31.