There's a fight to preserve Toronto parking lot where shelter is proposed

A Toronto parking lot slated to become a shelter has become the centre of a City Hall debate. 

Councillor Lily Cheng has submitted an information inquiry to City staff regarding the planned Indigenous Women and Children's Shelter at 68 Sheppard Ave. W., saying many residents have reached out with questions as discussion around the project intensifies. 

Cheng — the same politician who also wants Toronto to temporarily rename a street after K-pop group BTS — says there's been "a considerable amount of misinformation and speculation" within the community. She says she's seeking clear answers from staff to help ensure North York residents have accurate information about the proposal, which was first announced in 2024. 

Rendering of the shelter proposed at 68 Sheppard Ave.W. Photo: SpruceLab

Among Cheng's questions were how the site was selected, what parking data justified closing the Green P lot, and whether the shelter would include a supervised consumption site or a public distribution program for "drug paraphernalia."

Over the years, Cheng has been very vocal about preserving parking access across Toronto. In 2024, she reportedly pushed for more visitor parking spaces in condo developments. In February 2026, she wrote on her website that "visitor parking is a basic need, like kitchens or bathrooms." 

In response to Cheng's recent inquiry, City Staff revealed they determined that the property at 68 Sheppard Ave. W. would be better used as a shelter than as a parking lot due to a surplus of the latter. 

According to the response, the Green P lot had "no realistic path to long-term financial viability" after years of low demand and operating losses. Staff said the site was selected as part of the City's effort to expand shelter capacity using underutilized City-owned land. 

Presently, there are over 60 shelters in Toronto providing over 9,000 beds for those in need. Due to high demand, the City has implemented a Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy and is working to open up to 20 new shelter sites by 2033, which includes the one at 68 Sheppard Ave. W.

The response to Cheng also addresses one of the most common questions surrounding the project, confirming the shelter will not include a supervised consumption site. In March, the Ontario government announced it will stop funding several consumption sites in various cities, including Toronto, which is still experiencing a "drug toxicity epidemic."

Cheng's inquiry and staff's responses will be considered by City Council during its July 29-31 meeting.