Important Updates for Community Agencies from the City- Community Crisis Response

Planning Guide for Community Agencies

Toronto Public Health has developed a Pandemic Planning Guide for Community Agencies that identifies issues and critical elements of emergency preparedness that organizations should consider in planning for a pandemic. This resource is attached and available on the City’s website at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/community-settings-workplaces/ under the “Community Agencies” heading.

COVID-19 Guidance for Food Banks and Donation Centres

Toronto Public Health has developed a COVID-19 guidance document for food banks and donation centres. This resource is attached and can be found on the City’s website at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/community-settings-workplaces/ under the “Food Premises” drop-down.

Food Bank Mapping- 211 Toronto

The updated food bank map has been developed and is available on 211 Toronto’s website. Direct link: https://www.211toronto.ca/topic/Central%20Region/ORGANIZATION/fht142/Central%20Region.

Contact for Questions/Concerns about Food Insecurity or Food Access

If your agency has a concern or question in regards to food insecurity or food access, please contact either:

Your community food program partner, if you are a member agency (Daily Bread Food Bank, North York Harvest Food Bank, Second Harvest); OR

Your cluster coordinator through the City-United Way Community Coordination Plan.

Toronto Employment and Social Services: April Ontario Works Cheque Pick Up Information

Please click here for a document from TESS outlining April Ontario Works Cheque Pick up and Card Replacement Information.

SSHA Updated FAQ and Resources Document for Shelter, 24-Hour Respite, and 24-Hour Women’s Drop-In Providers

Shelter, Support & Housing Administration has updated the Frequently Asked Questions document for Shelter, 24-Hour Respite, and 24-Hour Women’s Drop-in providers. Please find this resource here.

SSHA Information Following March 27, 2020 City-Community COVID-19 Response Table Meeting

  • SSHA has opened ten new facilities since March 16 (further details below):
    • Eight new programs for extra space
    • One program for people requiring self-isolation due to travel
    • One program for people who are waiting for test results
  • In addition, SSHA is working with Inner-City Health Associates and provincial partners on a program for COVID-19 recovery.

SSHA Response—Increasing Social/Physical Distancing Spaces

  • SSHA has opened eight new facilities with more than 350 new spaces to create more opportunity for social distancing for clients from shelters, 24-hour respites and 24-hour drop-ins.
    • 354 George Street
    • Six community centres, five operated by City staff
    • This includes one community centre space dedicated to at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed
    • One site to offset the early wind-down of Out of the Cold programs
  • This is NOT to create additional capacity in our shelters but will allow SSHA to create more opportunities for physical distancing.

Evictions Information