Life is getting worse for the homeless

Re Shelter system braces for a ‘tidal wave’, Aug. 1 Mayor John Tory’s “TO Prosperity” is a sham! It doesn’t mean an ounce more help for the poor living on the streets.

As Joe Fiorito pointed out in his Monday column, setting higher standards for shelters will actually make life worse for the homeless. Three years ago, city council passed a shelter resolution that “90-per-cent-capacity would be considered full.” Right now, shelters are not only overfilled, but will actually lose beds to conform with redevelopment regulations. What happens to the homeless thousands relying on shelters now?

I have a revolutionary idea! The city should buy some brand new highrise condo buildings, hire experienced building superintendents and house the homeless there. Churches and other current providers could administer the shelters.

After all, if Mayor Tory can spend $3 billion for Hybrid 3 for Gardiner East (for which the rationale is still a total mystery, when the “remove” option would cost over $2 billion less), buying those condos at a fraction of that cost would be an outright bargain.

He has said that it is “morally wrong” to have people living in abject poverty on the streets. There is a saying, “put your money where your mouth is.” This would be a splendid opportunity to improve the lives of thousands.

Having a home would reduce a wide field of problems — rising health costs, education failures and petty crime. City services generally would cost the same, while the City would own a valuable property. Only winners, no losers. Shirley Bush, Toronto