Implementing a Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw to Address Renovictions
Renovictions, where tenants are evicted under the false pretense of necessary renovations, have been a growing concern in Toronto and other cities across Ontario. In June, City Council requested a report back on implementing a renovictions bylaw similar to the one in place in Hamilton, which requires landlords to obtain a licence before undertaking renovations that necessitate tenant eviction. City Council has adopted Toronto Building recommendations that the new bylaw come into effect on July 31, 2025 and that the City roll out a campaign to inform tenants, landlords and other stakeholders about the bylaw. Toronto Building will report back to City Council in 2027 on the implementation of the bylaw including key indicators such as the number of licences issued, tenant inquiries received, enforcement actions taken, communications strategies implemented and recommendations for any amendments to the bylaw.
CaféTO Business Improvement Area (BIA) Pilot Programs Update
The CaféTO program launched in 2020 to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the program has undergone many changes and expanded significantly. In 2023, the City introduced the Business Improvement Area (BIA) CafeTO Curb Lane Pilot Program, which allowed BIAs to customize the curb lane closures to allow restaurants to expand or shift their curb lane patios beyond their frontage. Because the pilot program had a positive impact on participating restaurants, it will be made permanent for the 2025 CaféTO season. Participating BIAs will be able to to use the same customized curb lane plans, or the same curb lane plans with minor changes, next year.
Build More Homes: Expanding Incentives for Purpose Built Rental Housing
A lack of housing supply is one of the largest contributors to the housing crisis, as when there is a dearth of rental housing, rental prices tend to rise. To bolster rental housing supply, City Council voted in favour of establishing a new Purpose-built Rental Homes Incentives Stream. This new incentive stream under the City’s Rental Supply Housing Program will support 20,000 rental homes–including up to 16,000 purpose-built rental homes and a minimum of 4,000 affordable rental homes–by:
- Offering a deferral of development charges payable and a 15 percent property tax reduction for 35 years for up to 5,600 purpose-built rental homes and;
- Requesting the provincial government to support an additional 10,400 purpose-built rental homes by providing a Build More Homes Rebate to the City, equivalent to the value of development charges payable and 85 percent of property taxes owed by eligible projects for 35 years.
We have also introduced a new Multi-Residential Property Tax Subclass with a recommended rate reduction of 15 percent. You can read all the details here.
ModernTO: Selection of Proponent for 610 Bay Street and 130 Elizabeth Street
After many years of discussion, there are finally plans for the old Toronto Coach Terminal at 610 Bay Street and 130 Elizabeth Street. City Council approved Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential as the preferred proponents for the redevelopment of the City-owned sites at its November 13 meeting. With estimated opening dates in 2029 and 2030, the sites will be turned into a mixed-used development with new rental housing, including 290 affordable units, a hub for paramedics and a public plaza. As the City already owns the land, the redevelopment will be funded through a federal funding stream for purpose-built rental housing.
