Read more about the expansion of community crisis services!
City Council Update on Affordable Housing and Community Crisis Services
Friend--
Last week City Council was in session and several significant issues were dealt with, including affordable housing and the expansion of the Community Crisis Services. Council unanimously voted to expand our community crisis services all across Toronto. This expansion is important, allowing trained crisis workers to attend to non-emergency crisis calls and wellness checks for a more community-oriented approach and provides an alternative to police reinforcements. More details can be found below on the two issues.
In this newsletter:
-
City Council Updates:
- Affordable Housing
- Expansion of Community Crisis Services
- Jane Finch Initiative Public Meeting
- Seniors Bingo
- 2024 Women4ClimateTO
If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at 416 338 5335 or [email protected]. My team is here to support you.
Sincerely,
City Councillor
Ward 7, Humber- River Black Creek
Follow us:
Remembrance Day Event at Joseph Bannon Park
Honoured to have joined the Remembrance Day event at Joseph Bannon Park on Saturday. A solemn moment to honour the brave veterans who served our country with courage and sacrifice.
Ward 7 Principals Forum
Grateful for the insightful discussions at our Principal's Forum with Ward 7 principals. Huge thanks to city staff from Metrolinx, Traffic Operations, Toronto Public Library, Seneca College, and Youth Outreach Services for sharing insights and answering questions. Together, we're building a stronger community for our students!
City Council Updates
Affordable Housing:
Click here to watch the full video.
The math on creating affordable housing is simple, and what the City of Toronto has done so far isn't working.
Average market rents have soared to over $2600 per month for a one-bedroom. The City has for years been giving developers incentives for them to provide affordable housing (80% of the market rate). That should be easy, right? It would amount to a subsidy of $6240 per year, per unit to provide an affordable unit. If you up that subsidy to $15,600 we could provide units at half of the market rate. Deeply affordable, and much easier for people to make ends meet.
Instead we've thrown millions of dollars at the Housing Now program in the form of property tax breaks, low interest loans, land, higher densities and cash and still don't have a single unit to show for it.
What we moved at Council last week is a change of direction that I wholeheartedly support. Now with monies from provincial and federal governments, we're building affordable housing.
Toronto Community Crisis Service:
The Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) dispatches crisis workers to respond to mental health crises, offering an alternative to police intervention. A dedicated phone line, 211, has been established for the public to contact crisis workers. The city council unanimously voted to expand this service citywide, emphasizing its success in the first year and its positive impact on community safety, particularly for Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, The expansion aims to extend support to more individuals and further contribute to community safety and the well-being of Toronto residents.
EX9.10 - 2023 Update on the Toronto Community Crisis Service and Proposed Expansion Plan
Jane Finch Initiative Community Meeting
Through community engagements to date, residents have shared their ideas and aspirations for the future of the neighbourhood. These ideas have informed a draft secondary plan and community development plan actions. We want to hear what you think of these drafts in conversations facilitated by the Jane Finch Centre on November 25, 28, 29 and 30, 2023. Here's how you can participate:
Join in person at Jane Finch Mall (1911 Finch Avenue West, at the EarlyOn Centre) on:
- Saturday, November 25, 2023, between 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 29 between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and
- Thursday, November 30, 2023 between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join online at the Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, between 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Join online by Zoom. We encourage you to register ahead of time and join ten minutes before 6:30 p.m. to allow time to log on.
- To join by phone, dial 647-374-4685 and enter Meeting ID: 896 8484 6316, Passcode: 306 826. If joining by phone, press *6 to mute/unmute and *9 to raise your hand.
Northwoods Community Centre Seniors Bingo
Visit Northwood CC for Cards, Bingo, Coffee, and Tea every Wednesday this fall from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm!
Location: Northwood Community Centre, 15 Clubhouse Court, Toronto, ON, M3L 2L7.
Starting November 8, 2023, until December 20, 2023.
Age: 60+.
2024 Women4ClimateTO Program
Applications for the 2024 Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program are now open! Join in empowering local women to lead climate action initiatives and businesses. Apply by November 20th.
