Clarence Square Park

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - September 20, 2024

Over the month of August our Parks, Forestry and Recreation teams have continued to visit Clarence Square daily to conduct clean-ups and garbage collection. Their needle cleaning team has been attending on weekends to ensure safety during these busy periods as well. 

Street to Homes staff attended the site 24 times since August 12. They were able to refer 5 people to indoor shelter spaces and continued to work with the rest on their housing plans. This includes working to get them IDs, prepare their taxes, income support and more, so that when housing units are available they are ready to sign a lease and move in. 5 encampments were prevented last month, which brings the total encampments resolved since the beginning of the year and the implementation of my Clarence Square Action Plan to 115. This brings the number of encampments to 15 with 12 people staying in the Park. 

I can also share that since August 6, Toronto Employment & Social Services staff have started attending Clarence Square Park 2 days a week for 2 hours a day to help individuals connect with appropriate financial supports, employment opportunities, and navigate City services and Provincial services to allow them to be prepared for the day after they find housing. 

Security teams continue to be stationed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to monitor the park and report incidents to the Encampment Office and emergency services. Toronto Fire Services continues to visit the site weekly to identify and educate on fire safety, and Community Safety teams operate during the evening and overnight (4pm to 8am), 7 days a week to provide de-escalation, mental health and drug overdose responses for the area.

Please note, if you witness illegal activity, please contact the Toronto Police Service non-emergency line at 416-808-2222 or visit: https://www.tps.ca/contact/416-808-2222-police-non-emergency/ My office does not have the authority to direct police operations, or to interfere in legal or criminal matters.

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - August 20, 2024

Last week I met again with the Clarence Square Working Group, which brings all of the local community organisations, first responders and City Divisions working at the site together to share updates and ensure there is a coordinated and efficient approach. Using the recently adopted Encampment Approach and Strategy and Encampment Prevention Plan, the current statistics indicate that there are 14 encampments with 16 unhoused individuals. 33 referrals have been completed from this location since January, with 12 encampments redirected from the park since July and 107 since the implementation of the Action Plan. 10 individuals are currently ready for housing, and our Street to Homes outreach teams are actively building rapport with the others. 

Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) staff continue to visit Clarence Square daily to conduct clean-ups, and garbage collection. The Community Safety team continues to operate during the evening and overnight (4pm to 8am), 7 days a week. On July 19th, a large cleanup took place with participation from people in the encampment, resulting in 5,250 kg of waste and debris removed. Another large cleanup was done in August with three trucks full of debris removed. Since July 1st, 11,180 kg of debris has been removed, and for the year, 73,515 kg of debris has been removed from Clarence Square. Outreach staff have been monitoring and working with people to reduce debris, dry out and put away belongings. Security continues to be stationed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Toronto Fire Services visit the site, as it is a priority site, to identify and educate on fire safety. Over the past few weeks, many people have needed to access identifications, medical and mental health care. Outreach partners including Albion Neighbourhood Services, Na Me Res, YMCA, and healthcare partners such as the Inner-City Health Associates’ Street Clinical Outreach teams help meet these needs and navigate these services. 

I also want to note that currently, our shelter system is well over capacity. Each night, nearly 250 people in need of shelter are turned away from the City’s shelter intake because there are no beds available. At the same time, the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) program, which was helping people move from shelters and into affordable housing, has been stalled due to delays from the Ontario Government. Toronto has been without any Housing Benefits for almost four months due to Provincial inaction, resulting in a backlog of people unable to exit the shelter system. At the July meeting, Council adopted a motion that calls on the provincial government to allocate the funding for these housing benefits immediately. I will continue to advocate to the Ontario Government for an immediate release of Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit funding, and for increased investment in permanent affordable and supportive housing. I encourage you to reach out to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra about this at [email protected]. 

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - July 26, 2024

With the help of our community partners and city staff using the Housing First approach and Encampment Prevention Plan, we saw the number of individuals go down from a high of 36 during the winter, to 13 as of today. In July so far, 2.17 tonnes of material has been removed from the park.

Consitent with my previous update, Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) staff continue to visit Clarence Square daily to conduct clean-ups, and garbage collection. The Community Safety team continues to operate during the evening and overnight (4pm to 8am), 7 days a week. Security is stationed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Toronto Fire Services visit the site, as it is a priority site, to identify and educate on fire safety. We have community outreach partners attending the site, such as Albion Neighbourhood Services, Na Me Res, YMCA, and healthcare partners such as the Inner-City Health Associates’ Street Clinical Outreach teams. In mid-August, we will have a working group meeting with all these partners so if there are specific questions or concerns my office can bring to that meeting, please reach out.

The city-wide data shows that during warmer weather, encampments tend to grow throughout the city. There are currently 90 parks across the city that have encampments, bringing the total number to 288. There are currently 10,627 people staying in or seeking shelter in the city. 

While the City moved 2,082 people across the city to permanent housing in June alone, more must be done. This week at Council, we received updates on two affordable housing projects in Ward 10 (and three others across the city), including advancing zoning amendments for a site at 1113-1117 Dundas St W. We’ll keep taking steps to address the housing crisis while we also prioritize supporting unhoused neighbours to ensure they are moved to shelter spaces and permanent housing to ensure a safer, more inclusive Toronto for all.

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - July 4, 2024

I’m sharing recent updates for Clarence Square Park from the last several weeks, as well as the latest work from the City to address the shelter and housing crisis in our city. As you know, we are committed to connecting individuals to housing as a matter of quality of life, addressing  and ensuring community access to our shared parks and green spaces.

I know there have been concerns about the progress, and my commitment is to keep moving forward together.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) staff continue to visit Clarence Square daily to conduct clean-ups, and garbage collection. The Community Safety team continues to operate during the evening and overnight (4pm to 8am), 7 days a week. Security is stationed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Toronto Fire Services visit the site, as it is a priority site, to identify and educate on fire safety. We have community outreach partners attending the site, such as Albion Neighbourhood Services, Na Me Res, YMCA, and healthcare partners such as the Inner-City Health Associates’ Street Clinical Outreach teams.

After a consistent decline in people encamping in the park since the start of the Action Plan, during the month of June, there was an uptick reaching a high of 24 individuals and 18 structures. This has ensured an reinforcing of measures key to the Action Plan, and with the help of our community partners and city staff using the Housing First approach and Encampment Prevention Plan, we saw the number of individuals go back down to 17 as of the end of June, and to the lowest number of structures since the Action Plan began at 12. In June 4275 kg of material was removed from the park.

This site remains a priority site for the Encampment Office, and all enhanced services remain in place, as the goal is to see successful housing outcomes and/or referrals into the shelter system. We are also working with PF&R staff to see how to beautify aspects of the park such as the off leash area and proposed additional tree planting this summer.

Additionally, I want to share updates on the City’s approach to encampments and shelters.

Last week at City Council, two important strategies passed, guiding the City’s efforts on encampments and shelters. First, The City’s Encampment Approach and Strategy outlined the City’s updated strategy for dealing with encampments, such as the one at Clarence Square Park, passed. As you may remember, last year the City’s Ombudsman wrote a serious report on the City’s failures during the encampment clearings of 2021. The report outlines how 28 of the 31 recommendations from the Ombudsman have been implemented, with staff working to resolve the final three.

The encampment at Clarence Square Park is following the new approach recommended in this report. Building on the lessons of the Dufferin Grove and Allan Gardens model, staff have created a unique program, based on the local needs, to ensure that at Clarence Square we are addressing the challenges in real ways, not just pushing those in encampments to a different park. This strategy will continue to be used at Clarence Square, and through encampments as they arrive in our City.

The second item, Advancing the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy, is taking the next steps to address our shelter crisis, funding 10 to 13 new shelter locations. This path forward creates an equitable system that looks to build shelter spaces across Toronto, not just in the downtown core. This path allows neighbours to stay in their communities. The creation of smaller 80 to 100 bed shelters, also follow the best practices the City has learned throughout the pandemic era. A proper shelter system will ensure residents have a safe and secure place to sleep at night.

While these reports align the work we are doing, this is a difficult process for our neighbourhood, and I am taking this seriously. Through these motions, City Council is clear, like us, that encampments are not a long-term solution to homelessness. Housing is the answer to homelessness. We’ll keep taking steps to address the housing concern, but that work is not done. Right now, we prioritize supporting the unhoused to ensure they are moved to shelter spaces and permanent housing to ensure a safer, more inclusive Toronto for all.

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - May 3, 2024

Over the past month, we have continued to make strides in our efforts at Clarence Square Park. Through collaboration with City staff, nonprofit service providers, and emergency services, we’ve continued our work to ensure the safety and well-being of all community members and to provide a productive transition to secure permanent housing.

Since our last update, the City has further scaled up presence and supports in the park. These include: 

• Twice daily visits by the Toronto Police Service’s 52 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers to conduct patrols around the entire park’s property. This includes a visit in the late afternoon/early evening.
• A second Community Safety Team (CST) being deployed to the park, covering 16 hours per day. In the remaining eight hours during the day between 8am and 4pm, operational staff are on-site to address hazardous materials clean up, and community safety concerns.

As of now, there are 15 encampments with 11 people staying at Clarence Square Park. Four people are engaged, but not yet committed to a housing plan, and staff are building rapport with them to keep moving forward. Ten people have housing plans. Since August 1, 2023, we have completed 36 shelter referrals from this location, and since January 1, 2024, two persons have been housed. Since April 1, 2024, 12,065 kg of material has been removed from the park. City staff provide regular updates to my office regarding successful housing outcomes and site cleaning activities. We will keep working to ensure that people can access services and resources that lead to long-term housing and that the park is safe and accessible for all.

Your input and feedback will be invaluable in helping us continue to identify areas for improvement - please reach out at [email protected] or sign up on this page for monthly updates. My commitment is to provide insight into the steps taken to ensure the long-term success of the Clarence Square Action Plan.

These efforts for lasting positive results will take working together, and with consistent effort, consideration, and community support, we can make a meaningful impact.

Progress Update on Clarence Square Action Plan - April 11, 2024

Over the past month, significant progress on the Clarence Square Action Plan has taken place in response to my urgent call in March. My team and I have worked with City staff to keep seriously prioritizing the safety and well-being for all of our community members and provide a productive transition to secure permanent housing.

Since March 15, the City has scaled up its presence and supports in the park. Important measures that have been been implemented in line with the Action Plan, include:  

• 24/7 Security: A minimum of two security guards are now stationed on-site around the clock, supplemented by a community safety team operating in the evenings.
• Staff Trailer: A staff trailer has been set up to ensure the daily presence of City staff and community service providers. This has enhanced outreach and support, prioritizing housing/shelter availability, maintaining and cleaning the park, and providing culturally-connected service providers to assist residents in need.
• Maintenance and Safety Measures: Daily clean-up from Parks Forestry and Recreation, and a second portable toilet, as well as regular and on-going attendance by Toronto Fire Services.

Since the beginning of March of the 18 encamped residents, 9 are now actively moving towards housing and rapport is actively being built with 6 other individuals. That brings the total of indoor referrals made in 2024 to 21. In terms of maintenance, City staff removed 7.52 tonnes of waste in March and an additional 1.62 tonnes in April. 

This week the staff trailer was installed in the park to bolster the daily work of street outreach staff. This is a modified shipping container for staff to connect individuals to services on-site. Staff can now spend more time facilitating access to primary care, mental health and substance use supports, as well as harm reduction services, income support and ID replacement needed for housing plans and lease signings. 

I will be meeting with a task force of housing providers, social support organizations, and City staff. This team will inform and guide our response to ensure residents are housed as quickly and safely as possible. My team and I will meet with them bi-weekly to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures. 

New Clarence Square Action Plan - March 15, 2024

In response to my call one week ago for a Clarence Square Action Plan, the General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) responded with the commitment and first steps necessary to implement the Clarence Square Action Plan. You can see the full response here.

In the response, TSSS has committed that starting immediately and over the next month they will be scaling up presence and supports in the park including: 

• A minimum of two security guards on-site 24/7 beginning now, with two 24/7 community safety teams on-site to follow. 
• A staff trailer, which will facilitate the daily presence of City staff and community service providers for enhanced outreach and supports ensuring: housing/shelter availability is presented and prioritized; the park is maintained and cleaned; and culturally-connected service providers are available to help residents in need.  
• Daily clean-up from Parks Forestry and Recreation, and a second portable toilet, as well as regular and on-going attendance by Toronto Fire Services.
• Initiating the Encampment Prevention Plan in April, a focused and intensive deployment of supports and resources with the overall goal of ensuring all residents have an indoor place to stay, and the park is returned to full community use. 
• Establish and begin organizing the regular meeting of the Clarence Square Working Group composed of local service providers and City Staff to inform and guide the response to ensure residents are housed as quickly and safely as possible.

As previously mentioned, we have seen positive outcomes and lessons learned of a program like this at Allan Gardens, where the encampment that reached a height of 89 people is now down to 6, with the vast majority going into shelter or permanent housing. While this work takes time, ensuring residents are provided permanent shelter increases the likelihood that those requiring shelter do not need to return to the park or simply relocate to other parks nearby in the neighbourhood. 

The City has seen time-and-again that mass evictions do not work. They do not solve the housing and homelessness crisis, they do not keep people from returning to the park, and they have been deemed unconstitutional by the Ontario Superior Court.

The Clarence Square Action Plan creates a path to shelter for all those in the park, and will focus on lasting results to ensure the park is a place for everyone in our community to enjoy.

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