Former Centre for Social Innovation building to be converted into shelter for Indigenous people
Why It Matters
The new shelter shows the city of Toronto’s priorities toward homelessness and Indigenous supports, which may influence funding and partnerships across the sector.
The city of Toronto plans to convert the former Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) location into a brand-new shelter.
The city confirmed the new shelter at 720 Bathurst St. will be a space to provide essential services and supports to help Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of finding them permanent housing.
Indigenous people represent three per cent of Toronto’s population, yet account for nine per cent of people experiencing homelessness, according to Toronto’s 2024 Street Needs Assessment.
The shelter is expected to offer 24-hour care with space for 80 people, as part of the city’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy.
CSI was listed for sale in 2023, after rising costs made the building unaffordable, CEO Tanya Surman told Future of Good.
For 15 years, CSI used the building as a coworking and events space, before selling it for $16 million.
“After 15 years of community, creativity, messy magic, and impact at 720 Bathurst, it feels incredibly meaningful to pass the keys to a purpose like this,” wrote Surman in a social media post about the new plan.
The building sold in the summer, although few details about the buyer or the intended use were made public until now.
“Demand for Indigenous shelters offering culturally appropriate services continues to rise, with Indigenous people disproportionally affected by homelessness in Toronto,” said the city’s online post.
“Although the City funds a number of Indigenous shelter programs, there are currently no shelters that provide Indigenous-specific services for adults in University-Rosedale,” read the statement.
The shelter is anticipated to open in 2028 or 2029.
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