The venues are wheelchair accessible. Members of the public are asked to register for the events and identify whether they need language or ASL interpretation by email at [email protected] or by phone at 416 338-3302.
- Monday, May 11, The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St., Grand Ballroom, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 19, Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr., Rotunda, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 20, 41 Mabelle Ave., Recreation Room, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
- Monday, May 25, Don Mills Public Library, 888 Lawrence Ave. E.,
Auditorium, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Led by Senator Eggleton, the independent, six-person task force includes experts from the social housing, finance, real estate development and social policy fields. Background information about the task force, including members' biographies, is available at http://bit.ly/1zGgaUe.
Working with outside housing experts, researchers, as well as Toronto Community Housing and its residents, the task force will investigate areas critical to delivering high quality housing to residents and value to taxpayers. The primary areas of focus include:
- Toronto Community Housing's current operations and service delivery: What is the organization doing well; what needs to be improved; what changes should be made to improve service?
- Partnerships and innovation: Are there innovative models in use elsewhere that might work in Toronto to improve housing here? Are there better ways to deliver service to vulnerable residents with specific needs?
- Capital revitalization and new development: Are changes needed to the role of new development in Toronto Community Housing's mandate? Are there new partnership models that could leverage Toronto Community Housing's efforts?
- Governance: Is the status quo the best option, that is, a separate City-owned corporation governed by a City Council appointed board?
Changes such as transferring responsibility to other housing providers or back to the City, or a blended approach, will be considered.
The ultimate goal of the task force is to recommend to the Mayor what adjustments to the governance and operation of Toronto Community Housing are necessary to improve service to its residents. The task force will provide ongoing progress reports to the Mayor throughout the year, an interim report by late July, and a final report in December.
Toronto Community Housing is the largest social housing provider in Canada and the second largest in North America providing housing to about 125,000 people. With a portfolio of 58,500 units in 2,300 buildings in communities across the city, Toronto Community Housing serves a diverse range of tenants with different needs, the vast majority of whom live under the poverty line.
Toronto Community Housing has faced significant challenges over the past several years – including that its aging buildings will require $2.6 billion in new investments to maintain units in a healthy state of good repair over the next 10 years.
