Re: Al Gosling's sad fate gives tenants a voice

Joe Fiorito's recent column impels me to state for your readers what Toronto Community Housing has done to inform and engage our employees about eviction prevention following the death of long-time community housing resident Al Gosling.

After learning of Mr. Gosling's death in October, we immediately organized mandatory meetings about eviction prevention for all operations staff. We launched an internal review on how we can better support and assist tenants who become vulnerable. And reflecting our commitment to being a caring landlord, we asked the Honourable Patrick LeSage to lead an independent review of Mr. Gosling's eviction and our eviction prevention policies.

In November, we began a staff education program on eviction prevention. We sent a personal letter to all employees communicating management and the unions' united support for the LeSage review. In December, we shared detailed and timely information with all employees about the review's mandate and activities, including its meetings with tenants and staff.

We support Mr. LeSage's independence and value his review as a process where tenants and staff can provide confidential input on issues that affect them, with the ultimate goal of improving our organization's policies and practices. We will do everything we can to make every tenancy a successful tenancy, especially when tenants become vulnerable.

Keiko Nakamura, A/Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing