Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020
The Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) 2020 is the City of Toronto’s action plan for ensuring that each of our 140 neighbourhoods can succeed and thrive. TSNS 2020 supports healthy communities across Toronto by partnering with residents, community agencies and businesses to invest in people, services, programs and facilities in 31 identified Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). The strategy will strengthen the social, economic and physical conditions and deliver local impact for city-wide change.
TSNS 2020 Mission
To achieve equitable opportunities across all Toronto neighbourhoods by:
- Activating people
- Activating resources
- Activating neighbourhood friendly policies
TSNS 2020 Vision
No matter what neighbourhood Torontonians call home, there are equitable opportunities for well-being.
TSNS 2020 Action Plans
The following action plans outline the structure of TSNS 2020, and highlight the work that is happening in the 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs), as well as the actions developed by residents, community agencies and City Divisions at 15 Neighbourhood Planning Tables:
Defining a Neighbourhood
The City has 140 social planning neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood has at least 7,000 residents and respects important boundaries such as major roads and rivers. Find more information about these neighbourhoods.
Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (HEART) Domains
When NIAs were being identified for TSNS 2020, the City considered five different domains of neighbourhood well-being. These indicators were developed by the Urban HEART@Toronto team. Find more information about Urban HEART@Toronto. The five domains are:
- Economic Opportunities: The Economic Opportunities theme is about the economic status that neighbourhood residents can achieve; it includes income levels and quality job opportunities.
- Social Development: The Social Development theme is about the opportunities and connections that help residents reach their full potential; it includes education, literacy, and access to social, recreation, and cultural services.
- Participation in Decision Making: The Participation in Decision Making theme is about the opportunities for neighbourhood residents to get involved in making local and city-wide decisions; it includes voting in elections and working with neighbours to make plans and priorities.
- Healthy Lives: The Healthy Lives theme is about the physical and mental health of neighbourhood residents; it includes medical care, disabilities and illnesses that residents live with, and the number of years that residents live in good health.
- Physical Surroundings: The Physical Environment theme is about the natural and built environment in the neighbourhood, community, or workplace; it includes access to transportation, parks and green spaces, public meeting spaces, and air quality.
The City also offers an interactive map of these neighbourhoods through Wellbeing Toronto. Wellbeing Toronto includes data on populations, safety, housing, education, and many other areas.
TSNS 2020: Then & Now
In 2005, City Council identified 13 Priority Neighbourhoods as part of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy. In 2011, residents, businesses and agencies from across Toronto helped review the Strategy and suggested ways to improve it. Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) 2020 includes their suggestions and reflects how neighbourhoods are doing now, with an updated list of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
In 2019, staff will partner with residents, agencies and businesses to begin the TSNS 2020 evaluation process. Neighbourhood Action Plan updates will be available in March 2019.
TSNS 2020 Staff Report & Resources
- Map of the NIAs (Neighbourhood Improvement Areas)
- CD 23.10 Review and Identification of Resources for Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods strategy 2020
- CD 18.4 Activating People, Resources and Policies: Progress on Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020
- CDRC Agenda Item CD27.5
- Staff Report: Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020 – Recommended Neighbourhood Improvement Areas
- Appendix A: TSNS 2020 Neighbourhood Equity Index – Methodological Documentation
- Appendix B: Neighbourhood Equity Scores for Toronto Neighbourhoods and Recommended Neighbourhood Improvement Areas
- Appendix C: Public Consultation Results – Summary and Complete Notes
The City is working with residents, community agencies and businesses in 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIA) to make changes that strengthen the neighbourhood. There are 15 Neighbourhood Planning Tables representing the 31 NIAs. Neighbourhood Action Plans are developed for each Neighbourhood Planning Table to track the investments in the Neighbourhood.
Each NIA is assigned a Community Development Officer (CDO) who will:
- Work collaboratively with residents, service providers and other City Staff to make sure City services and facilities address neighbourhood priorities
- Support partnerships with residents and community agencies to deliver services
- Work with funders and businesses to bring new investments in services and facilities to the neighbourhood
Learn more about each Neighbourhood Planning Table.
For more information, contact the Community Development Officer in your Neighbourhood.
As a part of Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy (TSNS) 2020, the Resident Advisory Committee is made up of one resident volunteer and one resident alternate from each of the City’s 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs) and 8 Emerging Neighbourhoods (ENs). The Committee’s work is guided by the TSNS 2020 vision and mission, with a primary focus on activating people, resources, and neighbourhood friendly policies.
Learn more about the TSNS 2020 Resident Advisory Committee.
The Neighbourhood Grants program offers grants of $1,000-$3,000 to resident-led groups to help them animate their neighbourhoods with events or activities. A maximum of $5,000 will be available for each of the 39 identified neighbourhoods (31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and 8 Emerging Neighbourhoods).
Learn How to Develop Your Neighbourhood Grant Application at a Workshop
Social Planning Toronto (SPT) is offering four workshops for resident-led groups on how to develop an application to the Neighbourhood Grant Program.
Activities and handouts will be provided, as well as tips for creating a clear application and sound budget.
- Please arrive at least 15 – 30 minutes before the session begins so you can register and have a meal.
- Two TTC tokens and childcare will be provided for children ages three and up.
- When you register, please let us know how many children you are bringing and their ages.
If you have any issues registering, please call Social Planning Toronto and speak with Mary Micallef at 416-351-0095 ext.251.
Registration Information
Please note that you must be living in a Neighbourhood Improvement Area (NIA) or Emerging Neighbourhood to attend one of the grant writing workshops. Review the list of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas or Find your neighbourhood!
| Location | Date/Time | Registration Link |
| CASA Maiz
1280 Finch Avenue West Unit #204 |
September 17, 2019
6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m |
Workshop Registration |
| Metro Hall
55 John Street Room 308 |
September 24, 2019
6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m |
Workshop Registration |
| North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street Members Lounge |
October 2, 2019
2:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m |
Workshop Registration |
| Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West Committee Room 4 |
October 8, 2019
6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m |
Workshop Registration |
| Scarborough Civic Centre
140 Borough Drive Committee Room 1 |
October 15, 2019
6:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m |
Workshop Registration |
Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy (TSNS) 2020 Community Development Officers work with their Neighbourhood Planning Tables to support resident-led groups through the application process. Contact your TSNS 2020 Community Development Officer for more information.
The Local Champions program helps to build the capacity of resident leaders to create local impact for city-wide change.
The Local Champions Program offers:
- Bridging opportunities into college programs
- Designation and City wide recognition as a “Local Champion”
- Membership in a wide network of change makers
- City of Toronto Certificate of Participation
You are eligible to become a Local Champion if you:
- Attended a leadership course in the past
- Have at least a year of community building experience
- Wish to understand and influence municipal decision-making
- Want to be part of a strong neighbourhood movement
- Live in one of Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas or Emerging Neighbourhoods
The Partnership Opportunities Legacy Fund (POL) provided investments starting at $50,000 to support community building projects that improved city owned or leased spaces within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). POL funds support small capital projects, such as new or updated sports pads, parks, activity rooms and/or gardens. The application process was led by resident groups from NIAs and supported by Neighbourhood Planning Tables, as well as City Agencies and Divisions.
The impact of POL projects has been felt through communities in the following ways:
- Residents were supported to participate in the improvement of their neighbourhood’s physical surroundings
- Project applications were collaboratively developed by local residents, City Agencies or divisions, service providers and City Councillors
- Projects added to the quality of life of residents
- The improvements to community spaces are long lasting
| Year | Project Name
(Address & NIA) |
Operating Agency/Division | Project Description & $ Invested | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Mornelle Court Hub
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | 1021 Birchmount Hub
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Gilder Drive Recreational Rejuvenation
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | 2585 Jane Street Basketball Refurbishment
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Allied Neighbourhoods Community Kitchen
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Youth Friendly Space
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Elm Park Splash Pad
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Driftwood Outdoor Basketball Pad Revitalization
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Community Revitalization Ionview Park
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Spenvalley Park Splash Pad
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2016 | Dawes Road Hub
|
Toronto Public Library |
|
Planned |
| 2017 | Kingston Galloway Partnership Opportunities
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
In Progress |
| 2017 | Lawrence Galloway Community Project
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
In Progress |
| 2017 | Lawrence Orton Splash Pad and Outdoor Area Revitalization
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
In Progress |
| 2017 | Rec Room Rejuvenation/ Markham and Eglinton
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | 415 Resident Space Accessibility Redesign
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | Gordonridge Community Grow
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | The Roding Park Refresh Project
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | Revitalization of Friends of Angela James Arena Project
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | Gaffney Park Improvements
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
Completed |
| 2017 | 1652 Keele Alliance Welcoming Initiative
|
Facilities |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Islington St. Andrews Common Area Revitalization
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Agnes Macphail Community Kitchens Upgrade Project
|
Toronto Community Housing |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Bring on the Shade at Oakdale Park
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Fairhaven Renewal
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Fountainhead Park Enhancements
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Henrietta Park Activation Project
|
Parks, Forestry and Recreation |
|
In Progress |
| 2018 | Thorncliffe Park Hub
|
Social Development Finance Administration & The Neighbourhood Office |
|
Planned |