The city has not set a firm deadline to forcibly remove people living in makeshift encampments beneath the Gardiner Expressway but if they do decide to pack up a place will be found for them to stay. That message was part of a sit-down interview with senior staff from the city division responsible for shelter management on Tuesday, amid escalating public pressure to improve and expand existing services. “Toronto has invested a lot of funds, resources and staffing to try and manage the current situation,” said Paul Raftis, general manager of the shelter, support and housing administration, speaking broadly about services for people experiencing homelessness. “That doesn’t mean that we couldn’t do more and we are constantly looking at other creative solutions.”About two weeks ago people who set up tents or makeshift structures, including some under the Gardiner, were handed notices informing them they had 14 days to remove debris and personal goods or face “further enforcement” prompting fears that sweeping evictions were coming. The city said that is not the case and the notices are handed out to let people know they are violating city rules and their possessions could be moved. He said the city will work to find them an alternate place to stay if they decide to leave.Raftis said there is “constant churn” within the emergency system. People might not get immediate access to a bed or spot in a preferred location but “generally there are emergency shelter beds available” and staff strive to direct people to respite sites and drop-ins in the interim, he said. Read more:Front-line workers call for immediate action to ease homelessness ‘crisis’Video from Toronto shelters shows ‘inhumane’ conditions, indicates shelter system is broken, advocate saysOpinion | Edward Keenan: Homelessness is an emergency, but an emergency response to homelessness is not enough“There is al ...
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