A major winter shelter site in Toronto is set to close ahead of schedule due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid strained resources for people experiencing homelessness. The Better Living Centre, offering 250 spaces, will stop accepting new admissions in mid-February and fully close on March 15, before the winter season ends in mid-April. Officials say alternative spaces will be provided, but advocates express concern over the timing during ongoing cold weather.
The City of Toronto has announced that the winter respite facility at the Better Living Centre in Exhibition Place will cease operations earlier than planned. This 250-space site, one of the largest in the city's winter shelter expansion, is being repurposed for preparations related to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Admissions will stop in mid-February, with the full closure on March 15, prior to the official end of the winter shelter period on April 15.
Toronto's emergency shelter system is operating at 98.5 per cent occupancy, while warming centres are at 105.2 per cent, as reported on February 8. The city has added shelter spaces and extra support for the winter months, but cold temperatures and heavy snowfall have intensified demand. Affected individuals will be offered alternative spaces within the shelter system, though specifics on availability were not detailed.
The closure stems from pre-existing bookings for the World Cup, with the site licensed to the City of Toronto for hosting purposes as of April 1, following the tournament's award in 2022. The respite licence was granted late in 2025. Exhibition Place sales and marketing director Hughena Walsh stated, “FIFA is not displacing the respite.” Similar early closures occurred in the previous two years, with operations winding down from March 17 in 2025.
Veteran outreach worker Greg Cook highlighted the challenges, saying, “The impact will be horrendous for people who are unhoused. There’s temperatures that are below freezing well into March most years, sometimes even April.” Recent weather has included temperatures as low as -20 C, or -30 C with wind chill. The city noted difficulties in securing additional sites, including short-term leases and infrastructure needs.
Toronto will host six matches at BMO Field, renamed Toronto Stadium for the event, starting June 12. The Better Living Centre is a short walk from the stadium. Advocates worry that closing over half of the additional 490 winter spaces—excluding warming centres—undermines the winter plan amid treacherous conditions.
