Comparing the City’s Two Daily Shelter Sources

A source-timing review in progress

How BonQuery compares and combines Toronto’s daily shelter webpage and detailed open-data file while their timing and definitions are clarified.

Author

Miriam Marling

The City publishes a 4 a.m. shelter snapshot in two places: a daily webpage and a detailed open-data file. BonQuery compares the sources so we can reproduce the published data and continue showing recent totals if one source is delayed.

Interpretation is under review. The two sources can show different values for the same date. BonQuery does not yet know whether this reflects different extraction times, later revisions, or different operational definitions. We are preserving the exact comparisons and will ask the City privately before publishing a conclusion about which source should be treated as correct.

The large table below keeps one detailed example from May 14, 2026. The City’s webpage no longer shows that date.

Legend

Mark	Meaning
✓	Same number in BonQuery’s copy and the City webpage
*	Different number with an explanation below

If a row says Not in the public data file, that program is not included in the detailed file.

The two sets of numbers on May 14, 2026

daily_occ = FileAttachment("../data/daily_occupancy.json").json()
city_ref  = FileAttachment("../data/city_reference_2026-05-14.json").json()

bq14 = daily_occ.filter(r => r.date === "2026-05-14")

function bq(key) { return bq14.find(r => r.key === key) }
function cr(key) { return city_ref.find(r => r.key === key) }

function n(v)   { return v !== null && v !== undefined ? (+v).toLocaleString() : "—" }
function pct(v) { return v !== null && v !== undefined ? (+v).toFixed(1) + "%" : "—" }

// Known-difference keys (capacity/rate only — ind and occ match)
KNOWN_CAP_KEYS = new Set(["mix_emerg","men_emerg","wom_emerg","yth_emerg","emerg_total","singles_total"])

function mark(bqVal, cityVal, isCapOrRate, key) {
  if (cityVal === null || cityVal === undefined) return ""
  if (bqVal === null || bqVal === undefined) return ""
  const match = Math.abs(+bqVal - +cityVal) < 0.11
  if (match) return `<span style="color:var(--bq-success);font-weight:bold">✓</span>`
  if (isCapOrRate && KNOWN_CAP_KEYS.has(key))
    return `<span style="color:var(--bq-caution);font-weight:bold" title="Different number. See the explanation below.">*</span>`
  return ""
}

function compRow(key, bqRow, cityRow, opts = {}) {
  const { indent = 0, isTot = false, summaryOnly = false } = opts
  const pad = indent * 16
  const bold = isTot ? "font-weight:600" : ""
  const bg   = isTot ? "var(--bq-bg-accent)" : "var(--bq-bg)"

  if (!bqRow || !cityRow) return ""

  const useCap = bqRow.col_type !== "summary"

  if (summaryOnly || bqRow.col_type === "summary") {
    return `<tr style="background:${bg}">
      <td style="padding:5px 10px 5px ${pad}px;${bold}">${bqRow.label}</td>
      <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;${bold}">
        ${n(bqRow.ind)} ${mark(bqRow.ind, cityRow.city_ind, false, key)}</td>
      <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${n(cityRow.city_ind)}</td>
      <td colspan="6"></td>
    </tr>`
  }

  return `<tr style="background:${bg}">
    <td style="padding:5px 10px 5px ${pad}px;${bold}">${bqRow.label}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;${bold}">
      ${n(bqRow.ind)} ${mark(bqRow.ind, cityRow.city_ind, false, key)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${n(cityRow.city_ind)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right">
      ${n(bqRow.occ)} ${mark(bqRow.occ, cityRow.city_occ, false, key)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${n(cityRow.city_occ)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right">
      ${n(bqRow.unocc)} ${mark(bqRow.unocc, cityRow.city_unocc, true, key)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${n(cityRow.city_unocc)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right">
      ${n(bqRow.cap)}${bqRow.cap_funding != null && bqRow.cap_funding !== bqRow.cap ? ` <span style="color:var(--bq-fg-faint);font-size:0.85em">(funded ${n(bqRow.cap_funding)})</span>` : ""} ${mark(bqRow.cap, cityRow.city_cap, true, key)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${n(cityRow.city_cap)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right">
      ${pct(bqRow.rate)} ${mark(bqRow.rate, cityRow.city_rate, true, key)}</td>
    <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">${pct(cityRow.city_rate)}</td>
  </tr>`
}

function secHead(label, col1) {
  return `<tr style="background:var(--bq-th-bg);color:var(--bq-th-fg);font-weight:600;font-size:0.82em">
    <td style="padding:6px 10px" rowspan="2">${label}</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">People</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">${col1[0]}</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">${col1[1]}</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">${col1[2]}</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">Percent full</td>
  </tr>
  <tr style="background:var(--bq-th-sub-bg);color:var(--bq-th-sub-fg);font-size:0.78em">
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
  </tr>`
}

function summarySecHead() {
  return `<tr style="background:var(--bq-th-bg);color:var(--bq-th-fg);font-weight:600;font-size:0.82em">
    <td style="padding:6px 10px" rowspan="2">People using shelters</td>
    <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:center" colspan="2">People</td>
    <td colspan="8"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr style="background:var(--bq-th-sub-bg);color:var(--bq-th-sub-fg);font-size:0.78em">
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">BonQuery</td>
    <td style="padding:3px 8px;text-align:center">City</td>
    <td colspan="8"></td>
  </tr>`
}

bridgingRow = `<tr style="background:var(--bq-bg-alt);color:var(--bq-fg-faint)">
  <td style="padding:5px 10px 5px 20px;font-style:italic">Bridging &amp; Triage Programs</td>
  <td style="padding:5px 8px;text-align:right;font-size:0.85em" colspan="2">Not in the public data file (29 people)</td>
  <td colspan="8"></td>
</tr>`

compTable = {
  const rows = [
    "all_shelter","room_based","singles_sector","singles_shelter","allied_summ","temp_summ","iso_summ"
  ]
  return html`
  <div style="overflow-x:auto;margin:1rem 0">
  <table style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.83em;font-family:'Segoe UI',Arial,sans-serif;min-width:800px">

    ${summarySecHead()}
    ${compRow("all_shelter",     bq("all_shelter"),    cr("all_shelter"),    {isTot:true,  summaryOnly:true})}
    ${bridgingRow}
    ${compRow("room_based",      bq("room_based"),     cr("room_based"),     {indent:1, summaryOnly:true})}
    ${compRow("singles_sector",  bq("singles_sector"), {city_ind:5727},      {indent:1, summaryOnly:true})}
    ${compRow("singles_shelter", bq("singles_shelter"),cr("singles_total"),  {indent:2, summaryOnly:true})}
    ${compRow("allied_summ",     bq("allied_summ"),    cr("allied_total"),   {indent:2, summaryOnly:true})}
    ${compRow("temp_summ",       bq("temp_summ"),      {city_ind:1901},      {indent:2, summaryOnly:true})}
    ${compRow("iso_summ",        bq("iso_summ"),       cr("iso"),            {indent:1, summaryOnly:true})}

    ${secHead("Shelter programs with rooms", ["Rooms used","Rooms empty","Rooms open to use"])}
    ${compRow("fam_total",   bq("fam_total"),   cr("fam_total"),   {isTot:true})}
    ${compRow("fam_emerg",   bq("fam_emerg"),   cr("fam_emerg"),   {indent:1})}
    ${compRow("fam_trans_r", bq("fam_trans_r"), cr("fam_trans_r"), {indent:1})}
    ${compRow("fam_hotel",   bq("fam_hotel"),   cr("fam_hotel"),   {indent:1})}
    ${compRow("sng_hotel",   bq("sng_hotel"),   cr("sng_hotel"),   {isTot:true})}

    ${secHead("Shelter programs with beds", ["Beds used","Beds empty","Beds open to use"])}
    ${compRow("singles_total", bq("singles_total"), cr("singles_total"), {isTot:true})}
    ${compRow("emerg_total",   bq("emerg_total"),   cr("emerg_total"),   {indent:1, isTot:true})}
    ${compRow("mix_emerg",     bq("mix_emerg"),     cr("mix_emerg"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("men_emerg",     bq("men_emerg"),     cr("men_emerg"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("wom_emerg",     bq("wom_emerg"),     cr("wom_emerg"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("yth_emerg",     bq("yth_emerg"),     cr("yth_emerg"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("trans_total",   bq("trans_total"),   cr("trans_total"),   {indent:1, isTot:true})}
    ${compRow("mix_trans",     bq("mix_trans"),     cr("mix_trans"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("fam_trans_b",   bq("fam_trans_b"),   cr("fam_trans_b"),   {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("men_trans",     bq("men_trans"),     cr("men_trans"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("wom_trans",     bq("wom_trans"),     cr("wom_trans"),     {indent:2})}
    ${compRow("yth_trans",     bq("yth_trans"),     cr("yth_trans"),     {indent:2})}

    ${secHead("Other shelter services", ["Spaces used","Spaces empty","Spaces open to use"])}
    ${compRow("allied_total", bq("allied_total"), cr("allied_total"), {isTot:true})}
    ${compRow("respites",     bq("respites"),     cr("respites"),     {indent:1})}
    ${compRow("dropin",       bq("dropin"),       cr("dropin"),       {indent:1})}

    ${secHead("Temporary programs with beds or spaces", ["Used","Empty","Open to use"])}
    ${compRow("temp_resp", bq("temp_resp"), cr("temp_resp"))}

    ${secHead("Temporary programs with rooms", ["Rooms used","Rooms empty","Rooms open to use"])}
    ${compRow("hotels", bq("hotels"), cr("hotels"))}

    ${secHead("Temporary health and recovery programs", ["Rooms used","Rooms empty","Rooms open to use"])}
    ${compRow("iso", bq("iso"), cr("iso"))}

  </table>
  </div>`
}

What might explain the differences?

The reason has not yet been confirmed. The webpage may use a newer extract from the City’s operational system than the open-data file, or the two outputs may apply different update times or definitions. BonQuery will ask the City to clarify this before drawing conclusions.

The grey funded number is how many beds the City paid an operator to run. The City webpage does not show this number.

Every BonQuery number in this table comes from the City’s public data file. We show the two City sources together so people can see where their values differ.

What does “funded but unavailable” mean?

A funded but unavailable bed is a bed the City paid for that was not open to use that day. The City’s data lists reasons such as repairs, pest control, too few staff, or medical isolation.

The City does not show this count on its webpage. BonQuery calculates it like this: funded beds minus beds open to use. This matters most in dangerous weather, when every bed matters.

Where the bed numbers differ

This table focuses on emergency beds. A minus number means some funded beds were not open. A plus number means the City webpage showed more beds than the public data file.

breakdownTable = {
  const keys = ["men_emerg","wom_emerg","mix_emerg","yth_emerg","emerg_total","singles_total"]
  const rows = keys.map(k => {
    const b = bq(k)
    const c = cr(k)
    if (!b || !c) return null
    const funded      = b.cap_funding
    const cityGap     = (c.city_cap !== null && c.city_cap !== undefined && b.cap !== null) ? c.city_cap - b.cap : null
    const offlineBQ   = (funded !== null && funded !== undefined && b.cap !== null) ? b.cap - funded : null
    const offlineCity = (funded !== null && funded !== undefined && c.city_cap !== null && c.city_cap !== undefined) ? c.city_cap - funded : null
    const anomaly     = c.city_cap !== null && funded !== null && c.city_cap > funded
    return {key: k, label: b.label, bq_cap: b.cap, city_cap: c.city_cap, funded, cityGap, offlineBQ, offlineCity, anomaly}
  }).filter(Boolean)

  function signed(v) {
    if (v === null || v === undefined) return "—"
    if (v === 0) return "0"
    return (v > 0 ? "+" : "") + (+v).toLocaleString()
  }

  const TH1  = "background:var(--bq-th-bg);color:var(--bq-th-fg);font-weight:600;font-size:0.82em;padding:7px 8px;text-align:right;border-bottom:2px solid var(--bq-th-sub-bg)"
  const TH1L = "background:var(--bq-th-bg);color:var(--bq-th-fg);font-weight:600;font-size:0.82em;padding:7px 10px;text-align:left;border-bottom:2px solid var(--bq-th-sub-bg)"
  const TH2  = "background:var(--bq-th-sub-bg);color:var(--bq-th-sub-fg);font-weight:600;font-size:0.82em;padding:7px 8px;text-align:right;border-bottom:2px solid var(--bq-th-sub-bg)"

  return html`<div style="overflow-x:auto;margin:1rem 0">
  <table style="border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.88em;width:100%;max-width:880px;font-family:'Segoe UI',Arial,sans-serif">
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th colspan="4" style="${TH1L};border-bottom:0"> </th>
        <th colspan="3" style="${TH2};text-align:center;border-left:3px solid var(--bq-chart-blue);border-bottom:0">Differences</th>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <th style="${TH1L}">Program</th>
        <th style="${TH1}">Beds open<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">BonQuery from public file</span></th>
        <th style="${TH1}">Beds open<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">City webpage</span></th>
        <th style="${TH1}">Beds funded<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">Public file</span></th>
        <th style="${TH2};border-left:3px solid var(--bq-chart-blue)">Difference<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">Webpage minus public file</span></th>
        <th style="${TH2}">Not open<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">BonQuery open minus funded</span></th>
        <th style="${TH2}">Not open<br><span style="font-weight:400;font-size:0.88em">City open minus funded</span></th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      ${rows.map(r => {
        const isTotal = r.key === "emerg_total" || r.key === "singles_total"
        const bg   = isTotal ? "var(--bq-bg-accent)" : "var(--bq-bg)"
        const bold = isTotal ? "font-weight:600" : ""
        const gapColor         = r.cityGap     !== null && r.cityGap     !== 0 ? "color:var(--bq-caution)" : ""
        const offlineBQColor   = r.offlineBQ   !== null && r.offlineBQ   !== 0 ? "color:var(--bq-caution)" : ""
        const offlineCityColor = r.offlineCity !== null && r.offlineCity !== 0 ? "color:var(--bq-caution)" : ""
        const fundedBold       = r.anomaly ? "font-weight:bold" : ""
        return html`<tr style="background:${bg};${bold}">
          <td style="padding:6px 10px">${r.label}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right">${n(r.bq_cap)}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right">${n(r.city_cap)}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right;${fundedBold}">${n(r.funded)}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right;${gapColor};border-left:3px solid var(--bq-chart-blue)">${signed(r.cityGap)}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right;${offlineBQColor}">${signed(r.offlineBQ)}</td>
          <td style="padding:6px 8px;text-align:right;${offlineCityColor}">${signed(r.offlineCity)}</td>
        </tr>`
      })}
    </tbody>
  </table></div>`
}

mixEmergAnomaly = {
  const m = bq("mix_emerg")
  const mc = cr("mix_emerg")
  if (!m || !mc || mc.city_cap == null || m.cap == null || m.cap_funding == null) return md``
  const city   = mc.city_cap
  const actual = m.cap
  const funded = m.cap_funding
  // Describe the observed relationship without assigning a cause.
  let sentence
  if (city > funded) {
    sentence = `The Mixed Adult Emergency row needs clarification. The City's webpage shows **${n(city)}** beds, which is **${n(city - funded)} above** the funded capacity of **${n(funded)}** in the open-data file. This could reflect different extraction times or an operational definition that is not included in the file's metadata.`
  } else if (city < actual) {
    sentence = `The Mixed Adult Emergency row needs clarification. The City's webpage shows **${n(city)}** beds. That is **${n(actual - city)} fewer** than the open capacity and **${n(funded - city)} fewer** than the funded capacity in the open-data file. The source timing or definition has not yet been confirmed.`
  } else {
    sentence = `The Mixed Adult Emergency row needs clarification. The City's webpage shows **${n(city)}** beds, while the open-data file shows **${n(actual)}** open and **${n(funded)}** funded. The source timing or definition has not yet been confirmed.`
  }
  return md`${sentence}`
}

A program missing from the public data file

On May 14, the City webpage showed 29 people in Bridging & Triage Programs. The public data file did not include this program at all. That means the file alone cannot give the same total as the webpage. BonQuery will ask the City how this program should be represented in the detailed file.

Does the City change old data?

We save a copy of the City’s file each time we update. A computer then checks whether the City changed any earlier row. If it did, BonQuery sends an email. The May 14 numbers have not changed since we first saved them on May 17, 2026.

What this means now

The webpage and open-data file can differ. BonQuery saves the source records so the checks can be repeated, but will not identify either output as wrong until the City clarifies their timing and definitions. Neither source is live bed availability.

Want the exact calculations? Email Miriam.

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Toronto. Source: City of Toronto Open Data, Daily Shelter & Overnight Service Occupancy & Capacity. Rebuilt by BonQuery.

Download BonQuery’s daily data from 2021 to today: JSON · CSV