City officials are trying to co-ordinate housing and social services for the influx of Syrian refugees expected to arrive in Toronto and other Canadian cities before the end of the year.
As many as 2,500 Syrian refugees will call Toronto home by the end of December as part of the federal government’s plan to bring 10,000 refugees to Canada before 2016.
“It’s going to be a challenge. It’s going to be a hardship for all of us, but as a human being, I don’t see how we say no,” said Coun. Shelley Carroll.
At City Hall, officials are busy putting support systems in place.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the will be challenging, but that the city is on board with the Trudeau government’s plan.
Toronto is still waiting on the exact number of refugees it will receive, but the city expects to welcome approximately 2,500 refugees in the next five weeks.
The privately-sponsored refugees will be supported by organizations or individuals. But government-sponsored newcomers will have to be supported by government agencies for up to a year.
The biggest challenge, the city says, is finding housing for so many people at once.
“It is not going to be easy,” said Chris Brillinger, who is heading up the housing initiative. “I am confident that putting the right services into place, we will be able to facilitate people into housing. People are securing housing ever day in this city.”
The refugees’ rent will be paid for by city and settlement funds. The influx of refugees is not expected to affect the city’s existing social housing wait list.
“Most of the refugees, where they’re going to go is actually to market rental housing,” said Affordable Housing Chair Ana Bailao. “They’re not going to be on a waiting list. They’re not going to be impacting the waiting list -- nobody’s going to be bumped out because of a refugee.”
Last month, City Council approved $600,000 of municipal money towards helping with resettlement.
The city says it is already in contact with landlords interested in helping.
With a report from CTV’s Natalie Johnson
