Toronto’s ombudsman is probing city services for homeless people and the city is launching a review following controversy over available shelter space as a potentially deadly cold snap stretches into the new year.Ombudsman Susan Opler announced her inquiry Tuesday in a news release citing “recent confusion” over whether the crowded shelter system has room for homeless Torontonians who want out of the cold.“We are concerned about reports that some people were mistakenly told there wasn’t any space for them on Dec. 30,” Opler said. “Ombudsman Toronto wants to ensure that these essential services for vulnerable people are being optimally delivered.”Read more: Opinion | Edward Keenan: With shelters packed and people at risk of freezing to death, why can’t we do more?Providing a safe haven for people — and their petsOpinion | Sarah Polley: Toronto’s homeless are in crisis, open the armouries now and save livesAt a press conference Tuesday, Paul Raftis, head of the city’s shelter, support and housing office, said, “There’s no question we have to review the system we have in place.” The responses followed a second incident in which city staff appeared to tell a homeless advocate that a temporary respite centre, opened at Exhibition Place to deal with an ongoing shelter space shortage, was full even though cots were available.Homeless advocate Doug Johnson recorded a phone conversation he said he had with a central intake worker, from the city’s shelter, support and housing office, at about 11 p.m. Monday, when temperatures had plunged to -21.3 C. Centralized intake is the main access point for people seeking emergency shelter for homeless Torontonians. Johnson asked if there were any beds available in the west end or in the Better Living Centre respite centre, and a female intake worker is heard saying they were “filled up.” But when Johnson and a friend who pret ...
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