Let's help 91-year-old Isidoro Ventullo get housing

UPDATE (AUGUST 10, 8:10 a.m.): In today's Toronto Star, Mahdis Habibinia follows-up with Mr. Ventullo over brunch. "[I]t's clear that his liv­ing arrange­ments are far from settled, with the search high­light­ing some of the most per­vas­ive chal­lenges facing someone his age who might have to move away from the neigh­bour­hood he calls home," she writes.

UPDATE (JULY 29, 7:15 a.m.): Please see today's update in the section below. Thank you.

UPDATE (JULY 14, 7:00 a.m.): I am going to keep this fundraiser open for a bit longer because (1) there is still momentum from so many of you kindly spreading word and (2) I need a bit more time to coordinate details to get the funds to Mr. Ventullo (GoFundMe has strong policies to make sure your donations are safe). This is a group effort and I am grateful to those helping behind the scenes. Thank you.

UPDATE (JULY 8, 7:30 p.m.): I understand that M.P. Vince Gasparro (Eglinton-Lawrence), Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe and their hardworking staff have found Mr. Ventullo temporary housing. I will keep this GoFundMe open until this Sunday, July 13, and then endeavour to get the funds to Mr. Ventullo for his housing and moving expenses as he transitions to his new living situations. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, shared the fundraiser and/or expressed their support and concern in other ways.

UPDATE (JULY 7, 7:00 p.m.): Mr. Ventullo has been evicted and he will be staying in a shelter tonight, as reported by Michelle Mackey of CityNews on Monday, July 7.

On July 7, 2025, the Toronto Star published a story by Mahdis Habibinia about Isidoro Ventullo, a 91-year-old tenant in Toronto's Little Italy who is facing eviction, with no where to go.

“I don’t sleep. I’m stressed,” Mr. Ventullo said.

Police and city workers are trying to do the right thing.

“I’m not dragging the man out of here without a place to go,” said a Toronto police staff sergeant to his colleagues on Friday (July 4, 2025).

“But, you’re going to be ready to be gone for Monday,” the officer said.

There might be a shelter space available for Mr. Ventullo today (Monday, July 7, 2025).

In the immediate term, this fundraiser is seeking to raise funds for a safe hotel room until longer-term housing can be secured, if Mr. Ventullo accepts the financial support. Any additional funds raised will be for his permanent housing and moving costs.

Thank you.

Heather Campbell Pope

Founder/Director

Dementia Justice Canada

Please note no tax receipt will be issued.

How am I connected to Mr. Ventullo: I am a concerned member of the public who read his story in the newspaper. I am in communication with city and local federal MP staffers who are helping him find housing.

How am I going to transfer the funds to Mr. Ventullo? I will courier a bank draft to a lawyer in Toronto who will give it to Mr. Ventullo. For donations received after July 30, 2025, I will send Mr. Ventullo a bank draft via registered mail.