About Participatory Budgeting

For the past 10 years, the Participatory Budgeting (PB) process has given Toronto Community Housing tenants the opportunity to decide how to spend capital funds to improve our communities. 

We didn’t receive government funding for capital repairs in 2012, so our capital repairs budget has shrunk 75 per cent, to $53 million, from a high of $214 million in 2010. 

This year, the total PB budget for all buildings and developments is $2 million, and can be used for common space and Community Safety approved safety projects. We must focus scarce dollars where they are needed the most, and where they will help as many tenants as possible.

If you have questions about the Participatory Budgeting process, Talk to your Health Promotion Officer (HPO), building superintendent or Tenant Representative.

If you don’t know who your Tenant Representative is and want to get involved, call 416-981-5500 or e-mail us at: pb@torontohousing.ca. 

What’s Different in 2012? 

• Tenants will see the kinds of repairs that are needed in their developments on building tours
• Tenants will get more information about how much repairs cost and what has been funded in the past 
• Tenant-led teams may pick up to 3 possible capital repair projects that other tenants in the development will choose from 
• Each development may put forward one building priority, which will be chosen by tenants 
• Final decisions will be made at a special Operating Unit allocation meeting where up to 2 tenant delegates per development will review all building priorities and decide which get funded 
• Instead of presentations, there will be one discussion about all submitted projects 

Learn more about PB: 

See the projects that received funding

Participatory Budgeting Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there less money for PB this year? 

Toronto Community Housing’s capital budget was reduced, so there is less money available for all projects, including PB. 

Why is the focus on safety projects and common space improvements this year? 

With fewer resources available, we have to focus our dollars where they are needed the most and where they will help as many tenants as possible. Tenants have identified safety as a key concern, and common space improvements benefit everyone.

Who makes the decisions about PB? 

PB is a tenant-led process. Our staff help tenants by organizing meetings and discussions, and providing background information about the work that needs to be done. Once tenants make their decisions, we hire contractors and schedule the work.