The city has an important role in ensuring the provision and maintenance of a diverse range of housing across the city in terms of building form, tenure and affordability. Through development review we secure new affordable housing and protect the rental housing stock. We also conduct research and analysis to develop and recommend policy that meets the city’s future housing needs.
Among other important objectives, our work helps preserve and increase the city’s affordable housing stock. With the limited supply of new rental housing and rising home ownership costs, the city prioritizes preserving and replenishing rental housing in Toronto.
Through the City’s development review work, we implement the Official Plan housing policies to protect rental housing from demolition and/or conversion and secure new affordable housing. We do this by coordinating development review with Community Planners and reviewing applications to demolish or convert rental housing required by the City’s Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion Control by-law in Chapter 667 of the Municipal Code.
After the demolition application is approved by the City Council, you will be given at least four months’ notice to vacate your rental unit when demolition is close to occurring.
You may be eligible for compensation. If you are eligible, you will receive notice alongside your notice to vacate.
If the right to return applies, you will be sent a notice of your eligibility along with your notice to vacate before the demolition. This will allow you to sign up for a replacement unit.
If you decide to move into a new replacement unit, your rent will be based on the same rent that you currently pay, and a one-time ‘new building allowance’ increase of 4% will be permitted.
For comments or questions about the application to demolish your unit or building, you should contact your property manager. You can also contact the City of Toronto Planner managing the demolition application review. Their name and contact information can be found on any City notice that you have received about the demolition application for your building.
Some tenants may qualify for more support based on special needs. You can speak with the City of Toronto Planner managing the demolition application if you would like to discuss your need for additional assistance.
City Planning staff work with other City Divisions and agencies, and a range of stakeholders to review and update the City’s Official Plan housing policies. Through our research and analysis we support Council decision-making by leading or providing input into key studies impacting housing affordability and availability in Toronto. Some of our current and recent work includes: