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.
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:
Applicant organizations must:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The City offers various opportunities and agreements for the use of available space through other City Divisions, Agencies or Corporations. Follow the link and/or contact below to explore other possibilities.
There are currently no vacant Community Space Tenancy opportunities. When space does become available, an open call Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process is launched to alert non-profit organizations to submit an application.
Are you a not-for-profit organization, agency or community group interested in leasing City-owned/managed spaces for a nominal, Below Market Rent? Complete the Community Space Interest Form to receive information about new spaces and application opportunities. Your response will also help City staff better understand your unique space requirements, and inform the development of future community spaces under the Community Space Tenancy Policy.