A Toronto-based non-profit that builds tiny homes for homeless people says the city has sent the group a “cease and desist” letter that prohibits use of the shelters on city property, but did not offer alternatives for those living outside.
Tiny Tiny Homes started making small, mobile homes for homeless people last year. It became an official non-profit organization in August 2024, according to a GoFundMe page in support of the work.
The organization says the city wanted the homes out of parks, such as St. James Park, and met with the group last month to discuss alternatives.
Founder Ryan Donais said the organization asked the city to help find a “suitable location” for the emergency shelters.
“We thought the meeting had gone well,” he said in a Feb. 13 social media video. “Then, on Feb. 7 they served us with a cease and desist letter,” he said in a subsequent social media video.
He said the group was told the emergency shelters couldn’t stay on city property, adding that city staff did not help the group find another location. He said the city gave the non-profit until Feb. 14 to respond.
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“If we don’t, the city says it would consider enforcement and actions,” he said in the video. ”These shelters are keeping vulnerable people warm and safe. Without them, they have nowhere else to go.”
City Responds
City of Toronto spokesperson Russell Baker told The Epoch Times the city recognized and appreciated the care that people want to show to those in need.
“We know the best outcomes for individuals and communities come from providing shelter and housing, which is why the City of Toronto is focusing on a range of initiatives from street outreach to building more shelter services and homes,” Baker said in an emailed statement.
Baker said city bylaws do not allow structures on parks and other city property because they pose a safety risk and inhibit residents’ ability to enjoy the area.
“City staff have had ongoing dialogue with the owner of Tiny Tiny Homes and have explained these structures cannot remain in St. James Park or on City property. The owner has been asked to coordinate removal of the structures,” Baker said in the email.
He said if the organization does not take remove the structures, the city would “consider next steps as appropriate.”
It’s a message that Coun. Chris Moise echoed in a community update posted on his website. St. James Park, where the structures are placed, is in Moise’s ward.
“I am supportive of micro-shelters as a solution to encampments—just not in our parks,” he wrote. “These Tiny Tiny Homes—like tents—are not an adequate substitute for accessible indoor space.”
Previous Tiny Homes Issue
The city took legal action in 2021 over another individual who was providing tiny homes to the homeless.
The city applied for a court injunction to stop Khaleel Seivwright from putting wooden homes on city parks and right-of-ways. As a result, Seivwright agreed not to place the structures on city land.
At the time, the city said its parks bylaw and streets use bylaw prohibited camping, tents, and structures on city property.
The city also said the encampments pose a fire safety risk.
“On February 17, 2021 one person died in an encampment fire that involved a wooden structure. There have been several other similar fires without injury in 2021 involving this type of wooden structure,” the city said.
Tiny Tiny Homes has started a petition against the city’s action. More than 23,000 people had signed as of Feb. 14.
