It is five years since Toronto Community Housing was created in 2002. Marking our first major milestone provides an exciting opportunity to tell our story, to reflect on the things we are doing well and to continue to challenge ourselves as we work together to create positive change in Toronto. These steps forward are largely due to the support from the community – the many dedicated groups, agencies and partners we are working with in our shared commitment to build healthy places for everyone.

It is our hope that this year's Annual Review conveys our vision as we strive to provide good places to live, a green future, strong communities and equal opportunities for the 164,000 people living in Toronto Community Housing. The 2006 successes listed in the review, confirm our continued commitment to tenants and our desire to make a difference in the neighbourhoods of Toronto.

With our Board, staff, tenants, community and labour partners we are making Toronto Community Housing a good place to live and work. Our biggest challenge going forward is the funding needed to bring our aging buildings up to a state of good repair. With the City of Toronto, we have committed more than $500 million to this since 2002. However – our inherited $300 million capital deficit grows each year. We must address this urgent issue and keep the housing we have, while building healthy, engaged, sustainable communities. In some areas, we need to regenerate our housing to create more integrated and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Our story starts here. It’s a story of people and potential, ideas and innovation, about pride in the achievements of our first five years and building a business that changes the way we think of social housing. It’s about the possibility of a future filled with hope. It’s about building good housing that people can afford and keeping it for future generations and it’s about building lives. It’s about taking risks to do the right thing and it’s about tackling racism and poverty – knowing we all have a role in how the story ends. Our many thanks to those who work with us.

View the interactive version of Our First Five Years