Brampton Youth Shelter questions and answers

Why is a new youth shelter needed in Brampton?

Many youth in Peel do not have access to safe and affordable housing. There is a demonstrated need for a new permanent youth shelter to provide a safe space, housing search assistance, family reunification supports, employment services, and programming for those 16 to 24 years of age in our community. Youth require different services and the new shelter will provide residents with the supports they need to live independently and break the cycle of homelessness. Peel Region is the main provider of supports to Peel residents, including youth, who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Many youth in Brampton are at risk and do not have access to safe and affordable housing. The Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan and the City of Brampton Housing Strategy and Action Plan identify the reduction of youth homelessness as a key priority. Both Peel Region and the City of Brampton Councils have endorsed the development of a permanent youth shelter in the city.

Are there other youth shelters in Brampton?

In Brampton, there is currently only one shelter serving youth at the Brampton Queen Street (East) Shelter. It was established several years ago as a temporary solution through the conversion of hotel. The property is not available long-term, The new youth shelter is being proposed to replace this existing shelter.

How old are the youth staying at the shelter?

16 to 24 years of age.

What are the requirements for someone to stay here?

Any youth between the ages of 16 and 24 experiencing homelessness can stay at the Brampton Youth Shelter.

How long will the youth stay at the shelter?

Length of stay can be different for each individual however on average, a youth stays approximately one month.

Can residents have guests? How many?

Guests are not permitted. A variety of support workers and service providers may visit the shelter (for example health care practitioners, community service programmers).

Will any of the youth have children with them?

No, youth with children will be referred to the Surveyor Shelter in Mississauga.

Will there be on-site staff?

There will be professional staff on-site 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff on site have educational backgrounds in social work and child and youth care.

Will there be people at the front desk monitoring people entering and leaving the building?

Yes, there will be front desk staff 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to monitor entrance to the building. This includes video surveillance and alarms.

Do youth need to sign in and out of the shelter?

Yes.

Will there be on-site security?

The shelter will not have a security guard. The building and site will be equipped with a security system (video, alarms) and on-site staff.

Are the youth allowed to smoke on the property?

Youth cannot smoke inside the building or near the entrance of the building but there will be a designated smoking outdoor area, proposed at the rear of the facility, for youth to smoke or vape to prevent youth from smoking in residential areas.

Where do the youth go after they leave the shelter?

The goal is for youth to leave the shelter and find permanent housing, including finding long term housing on their own or with roommates, moving back with family, or being discharged to transitional housing or shelter. Youth are expected to stay at the shelter for approximately one month.

Do the youth identify as people experiencing active addiction?

Some do identify as experiencing active addiction. During their stay, youth will have access to programs structured to address issues such as addiction.

Is alcohol or cannabis allowed on the property?

Alcohol and cannabis are not allowed on the property.

Do the youth identify as people experiencing and living with mental illness?

Some youth identify as experiencing and living with mental illness. During their stay, youth will have access to programs structured to address issues such as mental health challenges.

Do the youth have to pay to stay at the shelter (and if so, how much)?

No.

Are meals provided for the youth?

Three meals plus snacks are provided.

Is there an evening curfew for residents?

Yes, there is a curfew for all residents.

Are the youth allowed to stay in the shelter all day?

Youth may use the facilities at the shelter during the day but are not to be in their sleeping quarters during the day unless they work night shifts or due to illness.

Are the youth in school or working?

Yes, some youth are in school and working. For those who are not, staff will be available to help youth reengage in studying or finding work.

Are the youth coming from the nearby detention centre?

The shelter provides services to any youth that is homeless.

What services do the youth have access to on-site?

Residents will have access to resources to search for housing and employment, light case management support on-site and assistance with referrals to other professional supports such as mental health/addictions counselling. Residents will also have access to phones, computer and internet services, meals, healthcare and harm reduction services, referrals to income supports, etc.

Will the youth have cars?

Generally, no.

Will the youth be given transit passes or access to bicycles?

Transportation will be facilitated by the shelter, including providing bus tickets. There will also be bike racks onsite.

Are there any grounds for youth to be removed from the shelter?

All residents must abide by the residents’ code of conduct. Harassment and violence will not be tolerated, and violation of these rules may result in immediate discharge. Peel Region and the shelter provider have a good neighbourhood policy which informs proper behaviours around noise, avoiding loitering, smoking only in designated areas, and an evening curfew.

Why can't the youth shelter stay where it is on Queen Street East?

The existing shelter was established as a temporary solution through the conversion of a hotel. The current lease is expiring, and Regional Council endorsed the development of a new permanent youth shelter on a new site.

Why has 1358 Queen Street been chosen for the youth shelter?

More than 25 potential sites throughout Peel Region were considered for the new permanent youth shelter. The preferred site was determined to be 1358 Queen Street West in the City of Brampton, given its many positive attributes, including, but not limited to:

• Central location within Brampton.
• Proximity to existing public and planned rapid transit and a range of services and amenities for youth.
• The site being vacant and owned by Peel Region.
• Comparable built form and ongoing urban diversification in the area.
• Trees will provide privacy, aesthetic, and environmental benefits.
• Access to specific programming and supports to address health challenges, housing needs, employment services, and education for youth residents.

Why isn't a different (downtown) location selected for the youth shelter?

The Queen Street site was selected given its central location, proximity to services and transit and by the area amenities.

Has Peel Region explored opportunities to purchase the parcel to the east (1350 Queen Street West) to consolidate the properties and make a larger site for the shelter?

Peel Region is not able to acquire additional land at this time.

How many youth will the shelter accommodate?

Currently, up to 80 youth will be permitted in the shelter at any given time.

How big will the shelter be?

The shelter is anticipated to be approximately 2,825 square metres (30,400 square feet).

How tall will the building be?

The shelter is anticipated to be 4 storeys in height.

What will the building look like?

The building may look similar to a small apartment building or stacked townhouse development. Detailed architectural and landscape design work will be undertaken as part of a future Site Plan Amendment application.

How much parking will be provided?

There will be approximately 15 to 19 parking spaces, which will mostly be used by staff.

What spaces or facilities will the building have?

There will be a mix of single-bed and 2-bedrooms, of which the 2-bed rooms will have access to common shower and washroom facilities. Youth residing at the facility will also have access to shared dining and common amenity spaces such as lounges, a library, a T.V. room, programming space, and outdoor amenity area. The building will also have staff offices, kitchen, and laundry facilities.

Will access to the site be off Queen Street?

Initially, vehicle access will be off Queen Street. The City of Brampton is exploring the development of a mid-block connection (north of Queen Street) through the future extension of Antibes Drive, which could provide a secondary or future alternative access to the site.

Will there be outdoor amenity space?

The staff and youth will have access to a garden/seating area outdoors.

Will trees be removed to build the youth shelter?

Yes, some trees will need to be removed to accommodate the development. An arborist walking on site with the conservation authority has confirmed that there are no significant woodlots. The youth shelter site will be fully landscaped, with the planting of new trees, the provision of fencing, and other landscape features.

Why is an amendment to the City of Brampton Official Plan required?

Amendments to the City of Brampton Official Plan and Credit Valley Secondary Plan are required to:

• Redesignate a portion of the lands designated 'Open Space' to 'Communities', as identified on Schedule 1 - City Concept of the Brampton Official Plan.
• Redesignate a portion of the lands designated 'Open Space' to 'Residential', as identified on Schedule A - General Land Use Plan of the Brampton Official Plan.
• Remove the 'Valleyland/Watercourse Corridor' and 'Woodland' designations on portions of the lands, as identified on Schedule D - Natural heritage Features of the Brampton Official Plan.
• Redesignate a portion of the lands designated 'Prime Valley Land' to 'Low Density 2', as identified on Schedule SP 45(a) of Part II Secondary Plans of the Brampton Official Plan.
• Introduce a site-specific policy area to permit non-market housing and increased density.

How can the Open Space or Valley Lands be redesignated?

Following a site visit and analysis, Credit Valley Conservation Authority staff confirmed that there is no significant woodlot on the Site.

The Open Space and Valley Land designation along the southern portion of the site was due to past associated flood risks which have since been mitigated through culvert updates in the area. The site is no longer within the floodplain.

Why is an amendment to the Zoning By-law required?

A ZBLA is required to re-zone the Site to 'Residential Apartment A - R4A' and to:

• Add 'Non-Market Housing', as a permitted use.
• Define 'Non-Market Housing'.
• Permit site and building specific regulations, including:
• Maximum building height of four (4) storeys.
• Minimum interior side yard of 3.0 metres.
• Minimum front yard depth of 6.4 metres.
• Parking rate of 1 space per 150 square metres of gross floor area.
• Parking within the rear yard.

What technical studies or plans are being submitted as part of the amendment applications?

As per the requirements of the City of Brampton, Peel Region and the Credit Valley Conservation authority, the following studies and plans were submitted in support of the OPA and ZBLA:

• Concept plan (including Key Plan)
• Site Survey
• Parcel Abstract
• Public Consultation Strategy
• Draft Public Notice Signage
• Urban Design Brief and Shadow Study
• Sustainability Score, Summary and Snapshot
• Functional Servicing Report
• Tree Evaluation Report
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
• Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment

When will construction start?

Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2024.

How long will construction take?

Construction is expected to last approximately 2 years.

How will construction be undertaken?

All activities and staging will take place on-site. The construction management plan will be prepared with safety protocols in place.