Well, to be fair, it is private enterprise that builds those highrises. If they can rent them, all the power to 'em. I cannot afford to pay $1000 a month for an apartment, but there are many who can, I guess.
Back in the day living downtown (above a store or something) was quite affordable. But then, Richmond Row was a cheap part of town. :P
For the homeless and the poor we have to put ourselves in their position and ask what we would want done.
For starters we as a people have to stop treating health issues like criminal issues, but that is federal. Locally we have to improve options. The homeless are on the streets because they are homeless. Beggars on on the streets and in traffic because they need to eat. Robberies are done at times out of desperation. I don't really have answers on what we as a city can do, but I do know we should be doing something.

(I was writing on this topic in 2 windows. :P)

Wow! I wasn't up on the stats. Does that mean a senior who thinks that maybe they might need community housing better apply when they are 56? I better get to it. Should I get a family to better my chances? Odd that the homeless all tend to be single.
One thing I do know I disagree with is community housing complexes.Only integration and equality will begin to erase the stigma of being in the majority. Poor.

The average wait time for social housing is 9 years, with over 4000 families on the waiting list. We need to ensure that downtown is a healthy community for all people, including those living in poverty.

Indeed. I see all these luxury highrises going up, but who can afford to pay $1,000 a month in rent? Was it really necessary to build that one building on I think, King Street? And then there's the other one going up in the place where the Ridout Tavern used to be.