Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Toronto says transferring Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s (TCHC) portfolio of single-family homes and selected small buildings to the non-profit sector will “bring the units into a state of good repair, protect the houses as affordable housing in perpetuity, and build capacity in the non-profit housing sector.”
A joint city-TCHC Request for Proposals was issued as part of this process and two successful proponents were selected.
Neighbourhood Land Trust will assume the role of landlord for the homes predominately located in the west end of the former City of Toronto with YWCA Toronto as operating partner. Circle Community LandTrust will assume the role of landlord for the homes in the east end, Scarborough, and in other neighbourhoods across the city.
Providers have experience and expertise in managing social housing portfolios consisting of single-family homes and small buildings and “are committed to bringing the houses to a state of good repair and are well positioned to offer tenant-focused services such as timely repairs”.
“The Neighbourhood Land Trust is honoured to be partnering with the YWCA Toronto to steward and manage this important social housing portfolio on behalf of communities across Toronto’s west end,” said Ayal Dinner, board president at Neighbourhood Land Trust. “Through our unique community ownership model, the Land Trust will ensure that these homes are preserved and protected as permanently affordable rental housing, while also providing tenants new opportunities to participate in decisions about their housing and community.”
The city will sign an operating agreement, as it does with all social housing providers, to ensure the service providers deliver the specified services as landlord, in return for a subsidy.
TCHC homes being transferred include 643 properties with 761 units located in neighbourhoods across the city.
The property transfers are expected to begin starting in early 2022 and will be completed by the end of the year.
“These homes are an important piece of the city’s affordable housing stock. Transferring them to The Neighbourhood Land Trust and Circle Community LandTrust supports the City of Toronto’s objectives to improve service to the tenants, preserve and increase affordable housing in communities across Toronto, and build capacity in the non-profit housing sector,” said Mayor John Tory.
“YWCA Toronto is proud to partner with The Neighborhood Land Trust and the city to offer affordable housing opportunities for existing tenants and women-led families. As one of Canada’s leading housing providers for women, we know how critical access to housing is in advancing gender and racial equity,” Heather McGregor, CEO of YWCA Toronto, said in a statement. “We are grateful for this partnership and excited about the prospect of advancing women-focused housing.”
“There has never been a better time to scale affordable housing solutions across the city. Circle Community LandTrust is proud to preserve and invest in these family-sized homes to keep them affordable now and for the next generation,” said LandTrust president Joy Connelly. “We can’t wait to begin collaborating with tenants as we prepare for this transfer.”