Toronto city government is pushing forward a shelter reconstruction project costing CAD 556 million. This large-scale revitalization plan, after completion, will become a brand-new comprehensive shelter building, with each resident spending taxpayers' $1.5 million.
According to BlogTo reports, the George Street revitalization project (referred to as GSR) being advanced by the City of Toronto aims to replace the Seaton House men's shelter, originally built in the 1950s and now reaching the end of its service life.
This largest male shelter in Toronto, initially intended only as a temporary facility, will be transformed into a modern integrated center with multiple functions.
According to the plan, the first phase of the project will build a 10-story comprehensive building on the 309-345 George Street plot.
The new facilities will include 80 emergency shelter beds, 100 transitional shelter beds, 124 long-term care beds, 70 supportive housing units, and a community service center with an area of 2269 square meters.
The main project budget is CAD 556.437 million, approved by the Toronto Shelter and Support Services Bureau's capital budget for 2025-2034, with an average construction cost of approximately CAD 1.5 million per bed.
It is worth noting that the construction funds for the 70 supportive housing units will come solely from the 2025 capital budget of the Housing Secretariat and the 2026-2034 plan, with a special appropriation of CAD 54,447,934.
Currently, the residents of the original Seaton House have been gradually relocated to newly built shelters across various districts of Toronto.
Four new shelters have already been put into use under this project, and the last one, with 80 beds located at 2299 Dundas St. W., is currently under construction and nearing completion.
In addition, the city government is assessing the development potential of the southern section of the 295-305 George Street plot, planning to add more affordable housing. The relevant official planning and zoning regulation amendments are expected to be submitted to the city council for review in the second half of 2025.
This series of measures marks that Toronto is comprehensively upgrading its modernization level for homeless people and social service facilities, providing a more complete support system for those in need.
What do you think about whether taxpayers' money is well spent?
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