Just a few months ago, Jason Greig and Rob Dods were each sleeping in tents. Now, the two men are among 149 previously homeless residents living in a pair of apartment buildings leased by the city at the height of the pandemic.
But the agreement was never supposed to be permanent, and at the end of this month, all 149 residents will have to move out as the buildings are prepared for demolition. "What was I doing before COVID? I was sleeping in a tent, going from this neighbourhood to that place. Never quite feeling safe enough to leave my tent or do anything, because if I leave anything anywhere, it's stolen."
"It was comfortable, shall we say, but it was also not comfortable. I ain't camping, you know? I'm not up north fishing."In a phone call with The Canadian Press, the director of Toronto's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, Gord Tanner, said the city is working to make sure all residents have the chance to get permanent housing.
Dods said the new housing program has had a hugely positive effect on his mental health, citing the profound difference made by things such as being able to have a hot shower, cook his own meals and lock his door at night.