Community Space Tenancy

The City of Toronto leases City-owned or City-managed spaces to eligible non-profit organizations to deliver services to residents of Toronto, for a nominal, Below Market Rent. Organizations hold short-term agreements with the City to deliver direct programs to local neighbourhoods that meet specific community needs.

Providing accessible community space is a key component to building strong neighbourhoods. Community use of City space is a collaboration and investment in the City’s community and cultural organizations. These organizations in turn provide community, social, health, recreation and cultural programs that are aligned with and support the City’s strategic objectives. The absence of community space directly impacts the availability of programs and services that are responsive to local needs.

Services delivered under Community Space Tenancy include community health, arts and culture, recreation, before and after school programs, settlement services and environmental planning.

Talk to Us!

City staff members are available to talk with you about the Community Space Tenancy program. You can ask us about how to apply, how to get on a waiting list for City space, or how to develop a proposal towards a community space tenancy project.

Applicant organizations must be:

  • grassroots, not-for-profit groups or organizations
  • based in community service, arts and culture, community health development, and/or recreation
  • based in the city of Toronto
  • in good financial standing

Applicant organizations must:

  • Serve Toronto residents
  • Provide services that meet a demonstrated community need (e.g. immigration, youth or seniors’ services, etc.)
  • Support City of Toronto initiatives or strategies (e.g. Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy, Confronting Anti-Black Racism, etc.)

Community Space Tenancies will be made available to organizations through a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) administered by the City of Toronto. The REOI is an open call to Non-Profit organizations that fit the service priorities of the available City space allocated for community use. Community organizations must be able to meet any additional application requirements.

Community Partnership Tenancy

A single non-profit organization leasing a dedicated community space providing stable, consistent and accessible community services. A City space can have more than one organization each with an independent lease.

Each lease can be a head lease for up to two sub-lease agencies within a given space.

Incubator Tenancy

A one- to two-year lease agreement for grassroots organizations to build capacity, develop an organizational structure, and design services in order to meet an emerging need. Incubator Tenant organizations will share space with a mentor organization.

Community Hub Tenancy

Three or more non-profit organizations lease dedicated space within a city facility with intentional service collaboration and integration. A governance structure and co-location agreement details the facility service mandate which each agency follows in addition to their lease with the City.

  • Organizations responsible for operating costs to maintain space
  • Operating cost include but are not exclusive to property tax, utilities, pest control, security and cleaning
  • All lease holder improvements and renovations to the space need prior approval from the City

No opportunities are currently available.

The City offers various opportunities and agreements for the use of available space through other City Divisions. Follow the link and/or contact below to explore other possibilities.

Economic Development and Culture

Real Estate Services