Affordable Housing in the City of Toronto
Toronto continues to be a leader in responding to the need for affordable housing. This is reflected in the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020, adopted by Toronto City Council in August 2009. HOT will assist a cross-section of Torontonians, from people living on the street to seniors struggling to maintain and repair their own homes. A key component is the Toronto Housing Charter — Opportunity For All, which states that all residents have the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination as provided by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The City's "housing first" strategy is the basis for the Streets to Homes program, a strategy to end homelessness by assisting people to find permanent housing and providing appropriate supports so they can remain in their homes. Tackling the lack of affordable housing is a citywide issue. Households living in unaffordable or unsuitable housing are found in every corner and neighbourhood of Toronto. For example:
- One in five Toronto residents live in housing they cannot afford, that is too small for their needs, or that requires significant repair.
- The 70,000 families and individuals on the City's 'Housing Connections' subsidized housing waiting list live in every ward.
- Public and private rental housing throughout Toronto requires investment to achieve and maintain a good state of repair.
The power of partnerships
There is a remarkable range of organizations — private, charitable and public — assisting people to find and keep homes in Toronto. They work with homeless people, tenants, homeowners, seniors, youth, new Canadians and new families.
- Community groups and faith-based organizations provide valuable services for homeless and vulnerable households, such as the Out of the Cold program.
- Habitat for Humanity Toronto identifies families in need and potential sites as well as volunteers to work on Habitat construction sites.
- More than 250 social housing providers, funded and overseen by the City, including Toronto Community Housing.
- Tenant associations - working to improve the conditions of rental buildings.
- Initiatives such as Tower Renewal and the Municipal Licensing & Standards Multi-residential Apartment Buildings (MRAB) audit and enforcement program.
- Developers of new housing - creating a mix of market and affordable housing.
Housing help from the City
Affordable housing is a corporate City priority with some responsibilities mandated by the Province. A number of City Divisions, City Agencies and Corporations are responsible for the delivery of housing services.
Affordable Housing Office (AHO)
Facilitates the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing; develops and administers City housing policy and partnerships; administers City, Provincial and Federal funding programs for affordable housing development and related intergovernmental relations.
City Planning
Advises City Council on development projects and any proposal needing planning approvals, including those involving existing rental housing or new affordable housing, after consulting with members of the public, the ward Councillor and other City staff; develops and implements housing policies for the planning approval process; negotiates rental and affordable housing benefits under Official Plan policies and the Section 37 community benefits process; and administers the City's By-law on Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion.
Municipal Licensing and Standards Division (ML&S)
Administration and enforcement of by-laws, including property standards, rooming house licensing (former City of Toronto only) and group home registrations (Scarborough, Etobicoke and York only).
Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA)
Provides emergency shelter and street outreach to homeless people, funds services to assist low-income and at-risk households to find and keep housing; funds and manages Toronto's social housing provided by some 250 community housing groups, including Toronto Community Housing; develops policy and programs; administers provincial and federal homelessness, shelter and supportive housing funding programs.
Social Development, Finance & Administration (SDFA)
Responsible for initiatives that advance social inclusion and build safe, strong neighbourhoods and communities. This includes oversight of Toronto's strategy for the 13 priority neighbourhoods as well as community revitalization, such as Regent Park and Lawrence Heights. Community Revitalization creates neighbourhoods of mixed uses, housing types and incomes along with enhanced community infrastructure.
Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)
The largest social housing provider in Canada and the second largest in North America. As an arms-length corporation, Toronto Community Housing provides rent-geared-to-income and market housing for 164,000 low-and moderate-income tenants in 58,500 households (2010 figures); develops new social housing and affordable ownership homes; revitalizes social housing communities and administers the subsidized housing waiting list, Housing Connections, on behalf of the City.
Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services (LTCH&S)
Responds to the needs of individuals requiring long-term care. This includes managing 10 long-term care homes, the provision of supportive housing and the provision of homemaking services that allow seniors to remain in their homes.
Others engaged in delivering affordable housing and related services are: Facilities and Real Estate and Build Toronto, for affordable housing on City-owned land, and Revenue Services with City tax and water relief programs for eligible, low-income seniors or persons with a disability.
For more information
For information on community, social, health and government services, including financial assistance:
311 Toronto
311 Toronto is the public information and referral service for the City of Toronto. This service operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
This guide is prepared for information purposes only. Reference should always be made to the relevant legislation and regulations.
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