Toronto shelters 'dehumanizing,' say advocacy groups pushing for urgent accessibility fixes

Two Toronto housing advocacy groups are urging the city to improve the "inhumane" conditions and accessibility of shelters as winter approaches.

The Shelter and Housing Justice Network (SHJN) and Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union (TUHU) called on the city to act at a news conference at city hall Tuesday morning.

"The shelter system is a disaster. It is dehumanizing. The city must make sure it is accessible for everybody," said Greg Cook, an outreach worker with SHJN.

Cook said the groups' campaign calls on the city to audit the shelter system for accessibility by March, increase the number of beds in shelters and create a task force by November that includes people with lived experience to ensure the city accomplishes the goals.

"People who are unhoused deserve respect, care and t