News Release
December 11, 2019

Following an extensive search, Abigail Bond has been named the new Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat. She will join the City of Toronto on February 3, 2020.

As the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat she will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the City’s new HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, including the delivery of new affordable and supportive rental housing initiatives.

This 10-year action plan – developed by the City in full consultation with residents, the housing sector, and housing advocates – is a comprehensive blueprint for helping more than 341,000 Toronto households.

The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which goes to City Council for final approval next week, sets an ambitious target of approving 40,000 new affordable rental homes within the next 10 years. That includes 18,000 new supportive housing units for vulnerable residents including people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and 10,000 new affordable rental and supportive homes for women and girls including female-led households. It will also focus on keeping people in housing by preventing 10,000 evictions of low-income households.

Abigail has more than 20 years of experience in the housing sector in both the United Kingdom and Canada, during which she has successfully delivered a wide range of innovative housing and homelessness programs and projects. She has a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Manchester.

Abigail started her career in the not-for-profit housing sector in the United Kingdom managing a variety of housing initiatives before joining Manchester City Council as a Project Manager responsible for regenerating housing and communities. She moved to Canada in 2007 to work on affordable housing policy and delivery at the City of Calgary. In 2011 Abigail joined the City of Vancouver, where most recently as the Managing Director of Homelessness Services and Affordable Housing Programs, she lead the development of the affordable housing policy which included building new homes through collaborative relationships with a wide range of non-profit and private sector agencies.  

Abigail will take over the role of Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat from Sean Gadon, who earlier this fall announced his retirement after more than 30 years in the housing and public service sectors.

Quotes

“We are thrilled to welcome Abigail Bond to the Housing Secretariat and the City of Toronto.  Her deep experience delivering a wide range of policy and programs, including new housing units, will enable us to get more affordable housing built for residents in our city through our very ambitious HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan.”
– Mayor John Tory

“This is a critical point in time for housing in Toronto. Sean Gadon’s exemplary service and commitment to meeting our City’s housing challenges is appreciated by all of us, and I know Abigail Bond’s diverse experience will enable the City to deliver on the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, including enhancing our partnerships and collaborations to deliver long-lasting housing solutions for the people of Toronto.”
– Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, (Ward 9 Davenport), Planning and Housing Committee Chair

“I am excited to join the staff team working to deliver Toronto’s proposed new housing plan. This is a significant opportunity for government, private and community housing partners to move forward together to meet the housing needs so many residents of the city face today.”
– Abigail Bond

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

Ellen Leesti
Strategic Communications
416-397-1403