There are very few things that Torontonians agree upon. However we all agree that we have a serious problem with homelessness and we agree that something must be done about it. The city has largely ignored the problem as it continues to escalate. It seems that a little financial motivation goes a long way and that has come in the form of lost tourist dollars. According to recent reports one of the reasons that Toronto is losing its appeal to tourists is that they don’t like being bothered by the homeless asking for money right outside their hotels.

The New Edwin Hotel at 650 Queen St. E., just west of Broadview is being renovated and converted into a 30 room residence for the homeless. It is expected to be open for business sometime in 2009. This is not permanent housing. It is meant to be a transitional and support house designed to help street people transition into permanent housing. Each resident will get the help and training that they need to hopefully be able to lead a better life off the street. Some will be able to move on relatively quickly and others will need much longer. They have a maximum of 3 years that they can remain at the New Edwin Hotel.

WoodGreen Community Services will operate the facility. They bought the building a month ago in a private sale with taxpayers’ money. Funding so far has come via several levels of government. The total cost is estimated at $5 million. Make no mistake, this is not a quasi-shelter. These are transitional residences with each unit having its own bathroom, kitchen, and sleeping area. The residents will have access to addiction counselors, therapists, and medical professionals in preparation for independent living.

The New Edwin Hotel project is one of three transitional and support housing projects being created in part with $8 million from the Federal Homelessness Partnership Initiative. The others are Alternative Living Solutions at 1908 Gerrard St. East and the Parkdale United Church Foundation at 1355 King St. West. These projects may not be the answer, but they are a great first step. The measure of a society is how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves. How do we measure up?