Let’s Talk About the Planned Women’s Shelter at 3838 Bloor Street West
July 7 2025
If you’ve seen the City of Toronto’s website, or received one of the flyers that went out last week, you may already know that 3838 Bloor St. W.—a former seniors’ home near Six Points—has been selected as a site for a new municipal women’s shelter.
The City’s plan is for approximately 65 spaces for women experiencing homelessness, with an anticipated opening in 2028. This new shelter is part of a broader City strategy to reduce its use of expensive, temporary hotel spaces and instead invest in purpose-built sites with better services and outcomes.
The idea is that these sites will offer far more than just a bed for the night. The plan for 3838 Bloor includes 24/7 staffing, meals, laundry, case management and housing planning, physical and mental health supports, recreation programming, and even accommodation for pets so that people aren’t forced to give up animals they rely on for comfort and companionship.
The building itself will be renovated—to meet best-practice shelter design standards and integrate into the neighbourhood.
Why This is Coming to Etobicoke Centre
It’s worth understanding why this site was chosen.
What we currently know.
Homelessness is not just a downtown problem. Demand for women’s shelter spaces is rising city-wide, and right now, there are no dedicated women’s shelters in Etobicoke Centre at all. Women experiencing homelessness here often have to leave their entire community to find safety and support.
The City’s site selection process, which has been delegated to City staff, looked at over 200 properties to find suitable sites based on size, budget, zoning, and proximity to services. This delegation is a recent change. Previously, City Council would vote on shelter locations, but to reduce politicization and delays—and to get much-needed supports in place more quickly—the authority to approve new shelter sites was shifted to City staff.
That said, the process remains under scrutiny. Councillor Stephen Holyday recently brought forward a motion calling for Council to regain this approval power, arguing that elected representatives should have a say. While the motion did not pass outright, it was referred to committee for further study. Some councillors who initially supported delegating this authority to City staff are now expressing concerns, and with the municipal election approaching next year, this debate may resurface in the coming months. Here is his most recent Member’s Motion from City Council https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-256538.pdf
This larger issue was discussed as part of Agenda Item 2024.EC9.4, which you can read in full here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EC9.4
Community Engagement
Understandably, a project like this will raise questions and concerns from neighbours.
Who will use it? How will safety be maintained? What kind of supports will be provided? How will the shelter integrate into the surrounding area?
The City has said it’s committed to working with the local community to address these questions and support the success of the site. They’ve hired Joe Mihevc Consulting to lead the community engagement process.
The first local drop-in information session is scheduled for:
Monday, August 11
6:00–8:00 p.m. (come anytime)
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 3819 Bloor St. W.
This meeting is a good opportunity to get answers straight from the engagement team.
Why I’m Writing About This Now
In recent days, I’ve seen the early signs of a debate that could turn ugly if we’re not careful.
I’ve heard about local residents expressing very real questions about safety, planning, and community impact. Those questions are fair. I have also heard that many in the community do not feel heard by local officials and cannot get clear answers.
But I’ve also seen messages circulating that are rooted in fear and misinformation—suggesting that the building will be replaced by a high-rise, or painting people who use shelters as threats.
That kind of talk isn’t helpful. It doesn’t give us answers. It doesn’t strengthen our community.
Homelessness is a reality in all corners of Toronto, including right here in Etobicoke Centre. Women in crisis—from violence, poverty, illness, or any number of challenges—need local, safe places to regain stability and rebuild their lives.
At the same time, I know that change can be unsettling, especially when people feel decisions have been made without their input.
That’s why I believe it’s so important for us to approach this issue with respect, honesty, and curiosity.
We can ask the tough questions.
We can expect clear answers.
We can ensure that concerns about safety, integration, and impact on the neighbourhood are taken seriously and addressed properly.
We can do all that without giving in to fear or turning on one another.
A Role for The Etobicoke Voice
One of the reasons I started The Etobicoke Voice was to create space for informed, respectful local discussion.
So I’d like to invite you—whether you’re in favour of the shelter, against it, or just unsure—to share your questions and concerns.
I plan to collect them and share them with the City’s engagement team (who I have already reached out and let them know about this community outlet) to make sure they hear the range of local perspectives directly. I’ll also follow up to share what answers I get, so everyone has access to the same clear information.
If you’d like to participate, please fill out this survey where I am collecting your questions and concerns.
This isn’t about telling anyone what to think. It’s about making sure our community’s voice is heard—and making sure our discussion is guided by facts, care for our neighbours, and respect for each other.
Let’s approach this together.
Thanks for reading and for caring about our community.
The Etobicoke Voice exists because so many of you want to be engaged, informed, and thoughtful about the issues that affect us all. Let’s keep that spirit going—by asking good questions, listening carefully, and looking out for one another.
I’ll keep you updated on what I learn, and as always, I welcome your feedback and ideas for future posts.
Stay well, and let’s keep the conversation going.