This presentation offers insight on housing in Toronto. Michael Shapcott, Director of Housing and Innovation www.wellesleyinstitute.com Follow us on twitter @wellesleyWI

1. Finding a place to
call home in Toronto
Residents’ Reference Panel
November 5, 2011
Michael Shapcott
Director, Housing and Innovation
The Wellesley Institute

2. Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

3. Toronto’s history:
Housing successes -
housing crises
Four big challenges:
Affordability
Supply
Standards
Supports

5. Toronto in 2011: a divided city - in tenure, income
532,585 owners
54% of total
446,850 renters Median income
46% of total 2008: $75,400
Median income Income req’d
2008: $37,800 condo: $69,767
Income req’d
AMR: $43,800

6. For renters, average market rents are
outpacing renter household incomes

7. TO affordable housing wait list: Up 22% since 2008
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September 2011: 80,955 households on
wait list; 282 housed - 24 year wait

8. TO Council Feds restrict
TCHC plans considers plan to kill access to
to sell-off 700+ TO affordable mortgages
affordable housing office TO rental
homes
vacancy rate
drops to 2.2%
Preventing /
ending
homelessness /
housing first
TO avg
market rents
jump to
$1,041
Toronto’s
thousand
high-rise Toronto’s 5,532
towers private rental vacant rental
81% of TO ‘universe’ shrinks
housing stock Rapidly units in all of
by 1,353 units Toronto
25 years or rising energy /
older utility costs

9. Toronto Housing Charter
It is the policy of the City of Toronto that fair access to a full
range of housing is fundamental to strengthening Toronto’s
economy, its environmental efforts, and the health and social
well-being of its residents and communities.
All residents should have a safe, secure, affordable and well-
maintained home from which to realize their full potential.
All residents should be able to live in their neighbourhood of
We choice without discrimination.
need a All residents, regardless of whether they rent or own a home, or
plan, are homeless, have an equal stake and voice in Toronto’s future.
not a All residents have the right to equal treatment in housing without
dream discrimination as provided by the Ontario Human Rights Code,
and to be protected from discriminatory practices which limit
their housing opportunities.
All housing in Toronto should be maintained and operated in a
good and safe state of repair.

10. New supply Housing
benefit
Repairs
Supportive
housing
Inclusionary
housing
Shelters / services

11. Thank you!
www.wellesleyinstitute.com