Toronto Community Housing's $300 million capital repair gap

Toronto’s social housing is in a critical state of disrepair. Toronto Community Housing inherited this serious problem when the provincial government of the day downloaded social housing in 2001, without the funding to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

Toronto’s social housing is in a critical state of disrepair. Toronto Community Housing inherited this serious problem when the provincial government of the day downloaded social housing in 2001, without the funding to bring it up to an acceptable standard. In essence, the province downloaded the problem but not the solution. This is not fair.

Nearly six per cent of Toronto's population,164,000 people with low and moderate income, live in over 2,000 deteriorating buildings that are up to 50 years old and in need of urgent repair and refurbishment. Families are forced to live with chronic faulty wiring and plumbing, leaky ceilings, broken doors and windows, rundown playgrounds and unsafe entrance lobbies and public spaces.

We have read the recent reports on the economic, education and health impacts of substandard housing and the growing gap between rich and poor. Housing that is falling apart leads to conditions where crime can thrive and the feeling that we do not care.

More than 40% of tenants living in Toronto Community Housing across the City are under 25 years old – about 66,000 young people. We have seen the consequences of young people being labeled ‘at-risk’ because of their address, their race and their socio-economic status. Youth living in Toronto Community Housing neighbourhoods are opportunity seekers. They have told us that they want the same chance as all young people to a great
future.

Cost of Doing Nothing

Canadian homes provide a sense of stability, security and dignity. This foundation builds a strong economy and a strong future. But right now thousands of families and individuals in Toronto Community Housing buildings are being denied this basic right. Many of the people who live in social housing are new Canadians or senior citizens – someone’s grandparents.

They deserve better. It is not right for our fellow Canadians to be left behind. Toronto Community Housing does not have the money to keep up with major repairs and the most serious problems. The gap between the present budget and the cost of capital repairs is an astonishing $300 million, and growing. The problem is real, it is urgent and it is only getting worse.

We recognize the problem can’t be solved overnight. Nevertheless, the enormity of the problem should not prevent action from being taken today. There is a great need for new social housing to be built, but we can’t forget about what already exists.

Good housing is a long term investment in health and education, in people and the economy. Fixing our existing social housing is the responsible and fair thing to do.

Learn more

Chronic needs and what they cost to fix

Toronto Community Housing's Submission to the 2008 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations