Since 2002, Toronto Community Housing tenants have taken part in a participatory budgeting process that is part of community planning. The process involves tenants working together identifying their community’s priorities and then deciding on the distribution of a portion of capital funds to these priorities.

How can the capital funds be distributed by tenants?

Toronto Community Housing sets aside $9 million in capital funds to be used for capital priorities identified by tenants. This portion of Toronto Community Housing's capital budget gets distributed across its Operating Units for tenant decision-making each year. Sixty percent of the $9 million is distributed to the Operating Units based on their size. Another 20% is split equally across the operating Units.

How the remaining 20% of the $9 million gets distributed is decided by tenants based on the needs of the Operating Unit as described by tenants representing each Operating Unit and its priorities. The money can be used on capital projects such as upgrading exteriors, grounds, recreation rooms, lobbies, hallways, playgrounds and other green spaces.

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How does participatory budgeting work?

$1.8 million Allocation Day