Housing

The Rapid Housing Initiative was announced in the 2022 Federal Budget. This initiative is specifically designed to address immediate housing needs across the country, with the objective of committing all funds by March 31, 2024.

The primary goal is to create new units of permanent affordable housing for people and populations who are vulnerable and targeted under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). By securing additional funding, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will be able to build 4,500 new affordable units. It is important to note that at least 25% of these investments will be directed towards women-focused affordable housing projects, promoting gender equity and empowerment.

The total funding made available for this initiative stands at an impressive $1.5 billion. Out of this amount, $1 billion has been allocated to the Projects Stream, which will support a variety of housing projects across the country. Additionally, $500 million has been designated for the Cities Stream, focusing on urban areas to address their unique housing challenges.

The number of people actively experiencing homelessness in Toronto continues to grow. New homes with support services are urgently needed to ensure everyone has a warm, safe place to call home. In 2020, City Council adopted the 24-Month COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Recovery Response Plan PDF which outlined a plan for the City to accelerate the creation of 2,000 supportive homes and 1,000 housing benefits to create 3,000 new affordable housing opportunities in 24 months. To provide this rapid response, the City uses either innovative modular construction on City-owned land or acquires existing buildings (such as hotels or motels) that need renovations. The City also partners with, funds, and supports non-profit partners to acquire new properties or develop their own land to create new supportive housing.

The City has secured funding, including from the federal government, to exceed these targets and is on track to deliver over 2,000 supportive homes, as well as over 1,000 Canada-Ontario Housing Benefits. The majority of the new homes will completed by the end of 2022.

In May 2022, the Ontario Government committed $27 million in additional operating funding for supportive housing costs associated with buildings set to open in 2022, and committed to partnering with the City on its 24 Month Housing and Homelessness Recovery Plan to provide ongoing operating funding for supportive housing units set to come online by the end of 2023.

There are 19 sites across Toronto. In Toronto Centre we have 4 of the 19 sites.

215 Wellesley Street East

This project is being led by the Elizabeth Fry Society, and supported by the City of Toronto. Elizabeth Fry has proposed 48 new units of supportive housing at 215 Wellesley St. E. in a new eight-storey modular building, with a focus on supporting women and non-binary people, including Indigenous women.

Find out more about this project.

389 Church Street

The City of Toronto and Toronto Community Housing Corporation modernized this 13-storey residential building to provide 120 homes with support services for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, gender diverse people, and youth and seniors who have experienced or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Find out more about this project.

65 Dundas Street East

The City of Toronto has purchased the building at 65 Dundas St. E. to provide homes for a range of incomes, including some deeply affordable homes with supports.

Find out more about this project.

292-296 Parliament Street

The City of Toronto has purchased this building to provide 24 new affordable rental homes with support services.

Find out more about this project.

The City of Toronto’s housing waitlist is essential for tackling the city's housing crisis. It operates under a system that aims to provide fairness and equal opportunity for all residents.

Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) is a housing subsidy offered by the City of Toronto to make rent affordable for households. RGI rent is set at a maximum of 30% of household income. Through the Housing Secretariat, Access to Housing staff manage the Centralized Waiting List for those in need of RGI Housing. Access to Housing staff continuously review and confirm eligibility of applicants who have applied. 

Applicants are assessed based on factors like income, family size and housing needs, with priority given to those facing the most critical housing challenges: 

• Survivors of family/domestic abuse and human trafficking; 
• Terminally ill applicants who have less than two years to live;
• Applicants experiencing homelessness; 
• Tenants already living in subsidized units that need to move to a smaller unit due to changes in their household (according to local occupancy standards); 
• Tenants relocating to RGI housing from supportive housing; 
• Youth who are 16 or 17 years old at the time of applying for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing and who are heads of household; and
• Applicants who identify as Indigenous to Canada.

As a political office, we can not interfere with this process, as it operates to be fair, transparent and accountable. Applicants can wait up to 15 years to move up the top of the list in order to be offered housing. I therefore encourage everyone who needs housing or is on the waitlist to apply and keep their application up to date so they stay on the list. This system relies on clear policies and rules designed to provide equitable access to housing.

My office hosts housing clinics multiple times per year to help constituents with their housing application and to verify it is up to date. For more information please call my office at 416-392-7903.

For more information on eligibility requirements for RGI housing, please click here. For more information on priority access on the waitlist, please click here. 

To check the status of your housing application and to keep it up to date, please log on to your My Access to Housing Login account here. If you have an existing application and want to reach the Application Support Centre please call 416-338-8888 or visit the City’s website here, to book an appointment online.

If you don’t have any application and require support applying for RGI housing, please call 416-338-4766 or click here to apply online.

If you are in need of emergency shelter, please call 311 or Central Intake at 416-338-4766.

The City of Toronto partners with housing providers to expand access to affordable housing options across the city in purpose built rental developments. The rent for these units is set at 80% of Average Market Rent (AMR). Average market rent is determined by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation through its rental market survey.

To learn about the City of Toronto's current Average Market Rents and Utility Allowances, please click here. For more information about the average market rent survey, please click here. To learn more about affordable housing initiatives and receive email notifications when new opportunities arise, click here.

Multi-tenant houses, commonly known as rooming houses, are only permitted in certain parts of Toronto where zoning permits. In Ward 13, you must have a licence to operate multi-tenant houses.

Requirements for operating multi-tenant houses:

Multi-tenant houses must be operated according to Rooming Houses bylaw. You must:

• designate an agent who will be contacted in emergencies or with any inquiries about the operation of the multi-tenant house
• post the following information for tenants at the entrance of the multi-tenant house:
  • the multi-tenant house licence
  • the name and contact details of the owner and agent
  • the fire safety plan and
  • details of any conditions on which the licence was granted
• allow inspections to ensure compliance with applicable bylaws and legislation
• allow the City to provide notices to tenants
• maintain the multi-tenant house in accordance with all applicable bylaws and legislation
• notify Municipal Licensing & Standards Division of any change in ownership or any change in the contact information of the owner and agent

Applying for a license:

1. In Ward 13, contact Toronto Building to confirm that your area is zoned for multi-tenant houses. Call 416-397-5330, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2. In Ward 13, the licence fee ranges from $100 to $300

3. Submit an application: Only completed applications will be accepted and you must include: the completed application form PDF, the licence fee, paid with a certified cheque or money order and made payable to Treasurer, City of Toronto and a floor plan for the multi-tenant house, where requested. You must submit the application form along with the licence fee to [email protected].

4. After you apply for a multi-tenant licence, the City will conduct inspections and indicate that the multi-tenant house complies with: Fire Protection and Prevention Act and Fire Code, Property Standards bylaw, Any applicable zoning bylaw, Health Protection and Promotion Act 

For more information regarding multi-tenant housing please go to this link.