Women’s shelter in Etobicoke is expanding despite opposition

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The City of Toronto is turning a vacant building into a women’s shelter in Islington and looking to possibly expand it.

At a Planning and Housing Committee meeting on May 7, members reviewed a zoning change proposal that would allow the construction of two new storeys on top of the existing two-storey building on 3838 Bloor St. W. 

Last year, the City acquired the building, which was previously a long-term care facility. It’s already set to become a women’s shelter. 

But not everyone’s happy with the expansion — including Etobicoke Centre Councillor Stephen Holyday.

From the 10 deputants present at the meeting, nine expressed support for the building size increase. 

Michelle Verhaeven told the committee that “homelessness is not a statistic. It’s human.” 

Members of the committee were moved by her story, in which she shared she was previously homeless and has now built relationships and a community after living in a shelter. 

One deputant, Sobeida Duarte, spoke against the zoning change. 

“We’re okay with the current size of the facility,” she said. “The question for the community is how 28 new beds will make a big difference.” She added that she’s worried about nearby schools and businesses, as well as high traffic in the area.

She said many neighbours are worried about the new building. 

Coun. Holyday also said he had spoken to a lot of residents that are opposed to the expansion. 

“As the local councillor, [. . .] the majority [of locals] are opposed to the changes before you,” he said. “I know you had a number of deputations today — and many people, frankly, that don’t live in the neighbourhood and maybe [have] an affiliation to the sector came out and made the case for shelters in the city.”

He also mentioned how it could be a conflict of interest that the City is both the governing authority and the building developer. 

Despite Holyday’s efforts, the committee voted for the zoning change and approved the expansion. The item now moves to City Council.