Torontonians overwhelmingly agree that homelessness is a severe issue, but are split on whether more shelters in their neighbourhoods are the solution, according to new poll.A random sampling of more than 1,080 people across the GTA revealed that nine out of 10 described the city’s homeless problem as “severe,” with roughly a third of that group identifying the problem as “very severe,” according to a poll by Forum Research Inc., and provided exclusively to the Star. About a third of people surveyed would welcome a shelter in their neighbourhood, a similar percentage would be opposed and the bulk of the remaining respondents, about 25 per cent, didn’t commit to either side.Shelters were also very low on the list of solutions for homelessness, compared to job training, low-income housing and guaranteed basic income. Kira Heineck, executive lead with the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness said the fact six out of 10 people would either welcome or not oppose a shelter was encouraging. Heineck said the recognition that shelters are not the answer to homelessness demonstrates, to her, that Toronto residents have a broad or thorough understanding of what causes people to lose their homes.“Shelters are only one part of the solution,” said Heineck. “The responses that are at the top of (people’s) list for solving homelessness are collective, societal, structural solutions.” Homelessness was ranked as one of the least serious issues facing Toronto, compared to inadequate transit, income inequality, crumbling infrastructure, and violent crime, according to respondents. Inadequate transit was the most serious concern for more than 30 per cent of respondents.Heineck said it is not surprising that transit topped the list, as the majority of people polled would likely be affected by transit, but was again buoyed by the high placement of income inequality on the list. “You don’t have h ...
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