Toronto adding 1,533 shelter and housing spaces for winter, with warming centres opening when temperatures hit -5°C
The City of Toronto's 2026 Winter Services Plan adds 1,533 shelter and housing spaces from November 15 to April 15, 2027, 18 per cent more than last year. Warming centres at five sites open at -5°C. Toronto currently shelters nearly 7,000 people each night.
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The City of Toronto announced its 2026 Winter Services Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness on November 9, adding up to 1,533 shelter and housing spaces from November 15 to April 15, 2027, 18 per cent more than last winter.
The City said Toronto continues to face a homelessness crisis driven by unaffordable housing, insufficient income supports and unmet health needs, and that the winter plan provides emergency relief while longer-term housing work continues.
What is opening
The 1,533 spaces break down as follows, the City announced:
- 588 permanent supportive and subsidized housing units
- About 505 new shelter and 24-hour winter respite spaces
- 254 warming centre spaces at five sites, which open when temperatures reach -5°C or during winter weather event warnings
- 186 surge capacity spaces, which open during extreme cold when temperatures drop to -15°C
The full list of warming centre locations is on the City's Winter Services Plan webpage at toronto.ca/winter-services-plan.
Street outreach teams will also increase their presence during extreme cold, distributing warm clothing, sleeping bags and other cold-weather supplies. Several daytime drop-in programs will add 252 hours of service each week, covering food, health care, showers, laundry and recreational activities.
How homelessness has changed in Toronto
The City reported that the number of people needing homelessness services has fallen since the 2024 Street Needs Assessment. Toronto is currently providing accommodations to nearly 7,000 people each night, down from 9,000 last year.
Encampments declined by 67 per cent: from more than 353 in October 2025 to 118 in October 2026, the City reported.
Since January 1, 2026, the City's Streets to Homes program made 461 shelter referrals from encampment locations. More than 4,158 people moved from the shelter system into permanent housing over the past year, the City said.
A report released by Ontario's Financial Accountability Office found that homelessness across the province rose by 17.9 per cent between 2022 and 2025, while Toronto saw an 8.2 per cent decrease over the same period.
Long-term work and funding
The City said work is underway to develop 1,600 long-term shelter spaces through its Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy. Without stable funding from all three orders of government, the City said, that progress is at risk.
Residents who know someone who needs shelter can call 311 for information on available spaces and warming centre locations.
Questions this story answers
When does Toronto's 2026 winter homelessness plan start?
The City of Toronto's 2026 Winter Services Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness runs from Sunday, November 15, 2026, to Thursday, April 15, 2027, the City announced on November 9. Additional street outreach, expanded drop-in hours and warming centres are all part of the plan. Residents can call 311 for shelter referrals and information about available spaces.
How many shelter spaces is Toronto adding this winter?
The City of Toronto announced it is adding up to 1,533 shelter and housing spaces, which is 18 per cent more than last year's winter plan. The 1,533 includes 588 permanent supportive and subsidized housing units, 505 new shelter and 24-hour winter respite spaces, 254 warming centre spaces, and 186 surge capacity spaces for extreme cold.
When do warming centres open in Toronto?
The City of Toronto announced that 254 warming centre spaces at five sites will be activated when temperatures reach -5°C or during winter weather event warnings. An additional 186 surge capacity spaces open during extreme cold when temperatures drop to -15°C.
Where can I find the warming centre locations?
The City of Toronto says the full list of warming centre locations and other available supports is on the City's Winter Services Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness webpage at toronto.ca/winter-services-plan.
How many people is Toronto sheltering this winter compared to last year?
The City of Toronto reported on November 9 that it is currently providing accommodations to nearly 7,000 people each night. The City also reported that encampments decreased by 67 per cent, from more than 353 in October 2025 to 118 in October 2026.
How many people have moved from shelters to permanent housing in 2026?
The City of Toronto reported that since January 1, 2026, its Streets to Homes program has made 461 shelter referrals from encampment locations, and more than 4,158 people have moved from the shelter system into permanent housing over the past year.
What other services does the winter plan include?
The City of Toronto announced that additional street outreach teams will work during extreme cold weather to encourage people to come indoors and distribute warm clothing and sleeping bags. Several daytime drop-in programs will also extend their hours to add 252 service hours weekly, offering food, health care, showers, laundry and recreational activities.
Is Toronto's shelter system under financial pressure?
The City of Toronto said in its November 9 announcement that without stable funding agreements between all three orders of government, the momentum in reducing homelessness is at risk. The City said it will continue looking for ways to maximize resources while advocating for agreements that adequately support shelter and housing for vulnerable residents.
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