Close on the heels of the announcement that the city will open more shelter beds for women and LGBTQ youth, another at-risk population is about to receive a boost in resources. Covenant House has announced that they will be opening a new facility geared specifically toward rehabilitating victims of sex trafficking.

The house, which is currently being overhauled by Toronto Community Housing, is slated to open within the next year. The facility will provide space for seven women and girls (aged 16 to 24) to live for up to two years; each will have a small, self-contained unit, along with 24-hour support from staff. Covenant House staff say they'll look for suitable candidates within their own shelters, as well as referrals from outreach workers.

The move is meant to provide direct support to homeless youth vulnerable to being forced into sex work -- a city report from 2013 put the number at roughly 2,000 on any given night.

Photo of Covenant House by Snuffy on Flickr