Toronto Community Housing - Media

A garden, a car company and the power to surprise

rhewson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:47:43 -0400

Drive Change: Kia Motors sponsors the build of a community garden at Gilder Drive in Scarborough.

Picture it! Two Kia cars arrive in a community, with seedlings and soil. The drivers get out of the cars, the neighbourhood comes to life and together everyone works to build a beautiful garden. Then the drivers get back into their vehicles and drive away. What a great idea for an advertising campaign about how Kia Motors gives back to communities... but things like that only happen on television, right?

Well, on Saturday, July 10, that's exactly what happened at Gilder Drive in Scarborough.

Kia Canada really did need to make an advertisement. They really did drive into a Toronto Community Housing community with seedlings and soil. Then with help from Foodshare, a few dozen production hands, Toronto Community Housing tenants and staff, they turned an abandoned space into a beautiful community garden.

The work began early Saturday morning with production crew set-up - lights, cameras and lots of action. An abandoned space that had been filled with old tires, recycling and garbage bins was carefully transformed to a garden oasis with raisedplanting beds, a wheelchair accessible ramp and sitting area for weary gardeners to rest and survey their work.

For a community that has been trying for years to get space to grow its own vegetables, it was incredibly moving to finally see the garden materialize.

It was a long day, made longer with the demands of filming, but it was well worth the time and work. And a perfectly suited, well timed project in a year where Toronto Community Housing has made community gardens a strategic priority in the Community Management Plan.

The Gilder garden part of the campaign airs July 23. There is also a social media component to Kia’s Drive Change campaign on YouTube and Facebook.

For more pictures from the big day, visit the photo gallery. You can also read the news release at Kia's website.

Toronto Community Housing to Proceed with Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan

rhewson — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:50:25 -0400

Toronto City Council Gives the Green Light

Toronto Community Housing received the go-ahead from Toronto City Council to proceed with the revitalization of Lawrence Heights, as set out in the Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan.

The plan will accommodate both rent-geared-to-income and market units – together in the same community. Approximately 6,000 units will be developed on 90 acres of Toronto Community Housing lands. This includes the replacement of the existing 1,208 units at Lawrence Heights with new, energy efficient, modern units and the introduction of an additional 4,792 market units for sale. The result will be a mixed-income, mixed-tenure and mixed use community.

“It’s a great day for the people of Lawrence Heights,” said Keiko Nakamura, Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Community Housing. “The Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan will transform and improve this priority neighbourhood and create economic opportunity. The redesign of the neighbourhood will replace outdated infrastructure, provide better community facilities and double the amount of parkland in the area.”

The Plan is divided into phases scheduled to happen over the next 20 years. Phase One of the planned development could begin as early as next year.

“Community engagement remains paramount,” Nakamura said. “Over the last two years, we’ve reached out to hundreds of residents and community stakeholders to better understand their viewpoint and get their ideas. We will continue to engage this community to better understand its concerns and aspirations for Lawrence Heights and evolve our plan accordingly.”

About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes—about six per cent of the City of Toronto's population. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs, who deliver its mission to provide affordable housing, connect tenants to services and opportunities, and work together to build healthy communities.

Toronto Community Housing Board commits to quick action on LeSage Review

lbosworth — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:16:37 -0400

TORONTO - June 30, 2010 -- The Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing has directed the organization to take quick action to implement improvements recommended in the LeSage Review report on the eviction of elderly tenant Al Gosling.

Yesterday, at the first Board meeting since the report's release, the Board heard from Justice Patrick LeSage and more than 20 tenants and stakeholders about the review, the report and its recommendations.

"As I said when the Board made the report public on June 18th, Toronto Community Housing deeply regrets Mr. Gosling's eviction and we are very sorry at his subsequent passing," said Board chair David Mitchell. "After hearing from Justice LeSage, tenants and other concerned Torontonians today, the Board understands confidence in the organization has been shaken. We are strongly committed to implementing the report's recommendations to improve our organization and strengthen how we respond to vulnerable tenants."

"We will act quickly on those recommendations that we feel will have the greatest immediate impact," Mitchell said. "Others will require consultations with stakeholders before we can take action."

Chief Executive Officer Keiko Nakamura will present a plan for implementing the LeSage Review's recommendations for the Board's consideration at its meeting in August.

Nakamura has committed to clear and aggressive implementation.

"As Justice LeSage suggested at yesterday's Board meeting, we will have an inclusive and collaborative process that will involve staff, tenants, the unions, stakeholders, community agencies and government partners," Nakamura said.

"We need to continue working hard at making substantive changes to improve how we respond to vulnerable tenants. That's something we absolutely must deliver on to earn the trust of tenants and the people of Toronto," Nakamura said.

Upon learning of Mr. Gosling's passing last fall, Toronto Community Housing began a process for organizational improvement, which has already resulted in changes in several areas identified by Justice LeSage. They include:

· Making face-to-face contact with tenants a requirement on matters relating to rent collection and arrears.

· Adopting an integrated team approach to eviction prevention at the building level, to better identify when a tenancy is at risk and to promote better communications and problem solving by the team.

· Establishing a collaborative working relationship with community legal clinics to help reduce the need for evictions.

· Linking staff to community resources-especially to support staff working in buildings where there is a higher proportion of vulnerable tenants.

· Implementing a comprehensive eviction prevention training plan to further educate staff on their collective roles and accountability.

Completing a Mental Health Framework and vulnerable tenants protocol to strengthen how staff identify and support vulnerable tenancies.

"We have made a good start, but clearly there is so much more to do," Nakamura said. "The report adds fuel and momentum to these efforts and will drive further improvements."

Mitchell thanked Justice LeSage and his team for delivering a report that provides clear direction on where the organization needs to improve. He also thanked the tenants, stakeholders, employees and others who took part in the review.

Mr. Gosling was evicted in June 2009 for failure to verify his income or repay arrears. Following his death in October 2009, the Board appointed Justice LeSage to lead an independent review of the events leading to the eviction and Toronto Community Housing's eviction prevention policy.

About Toronto Community Housing

Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes-about six per cent of the City of Toronto's population. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs, who deliver its mission to provide affordable housing, connect tenants to services and opportunities, and work together to build healthy communities.

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For further information:

Jeffrey Ferrier, Media Relations Manager, Toronto Community Housing

416-981-4252 or jeffrey.ferrier@torontohousing.ca

Toronto Community Housing Board to Discuss LeSage Review Report

KRooks — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:23:55 -0400

On June 29th, Toronto Community Housing's Board of Directors will hold their monthly board meeting. The agenda includes discussion of the LeSage Review, an independent review of the eviction of the late Al Gosling and Toronto Community Housing's Eviction Prevention Policy. The LeSage Review report was released to the public on June 18 and is available at www.torontohousing.ca.

Toronto Community Housing Board meetings are open to public viewing and deputations will be made to the Board about the LeSage Review report.

Board chair David Mitchell, CEO Keiko Nakamura and Justice Patrick LeSage will be available for interviews prior to the board meeting.

What: Toronto Community Housing Board Meeting

When: Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Media availability at 12:00 noon

Board meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

Where: 246 Sackville St., 1st floor
(at Dundas, just east of Parliament)

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For more information:
Jeffrey Ferrier
Toronto Community Housing
Jeffrey.ferrier@torontohousing.ca
416-981-4252

LeSage Review report made public

rhewson — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:37:50 -0400

Statement from David Mitchell

Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto Community Housing

Release of the Report on the Eviction of Al Gosling and the Eviction Prevention Policy of Toronto Community Housing Corporation

Last October, the Board sought the counsel of the most respected advisor we could find to obtain advice on how we could learn from the events that led to the eviction of Al Gosling. We were honoured when Justice Patrick LeSage agreed to lead an independent, third-party review.

Today, on behalf of the Board, I am making the LeSage Review report available to the public.

Toronto Community Housing deeply regrets Mr. Gosling's eviction and we are very sorry at his subsequent passing. This has profoundly affected our entire organization and been a catalyst for change. Justice LeSage's report provides clear direction on where we need to improve. We will act quickly on those recommendations that we feel will have the biggest impact. Others will require consultations with stakeholders before we can take action.

While we work with staff, the unions, tenants, stakeholder and community partners to develop an implementation plan for the recommendations, we will begin to make immediate improvements to increase direct, face-to-face contact with tenants, provide comprehensive staff training in eviction prevention, simplify processes for tenants, and build stronger relationships with agencies that deliver social services and specialized supports.

The Board is fully confident in the abilities of our recently appointed CEO to lead the organization in implementing changes that achieve lasting and effective solutions. We remain committed to providing the necessary support and oversight to guide the organization and will hold it accountable for results.

The Board will discuss the LeSage Review report and Toronto Community Housing's response at our next meeting on June 29, 2010. This meeting will take place at 246 Sackville Ave. and is open to the public.

On the Board's behalf, I want to thank Justice LeSage and his team for delivering a thorough, forward-looking and valuable report, and thank the tenants, staff and stakeholders who took part in the review and provided input. We take the report seriously, and we are strongly committed to making improvements that will help us to better serve tenants and the people of Toronto.

2009 Annual Performance Review

rhewson — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:04:12 -0400

LeSage Review Update

rhewson — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:23:22 -0400

The independent review of the eviction of the late Al Gosling and Toronto Community Housing's Eviction Prevention Policy is now completed.

The Honourable Patrick LeSage has delivered his report to David Mitchell, chair of the Board of Toronto Community Housing.

The report will be on the agenda of the next Board meeting on June 29. As part of this process, we will make the LeSage Review report public on June 18 at 12 noon.

Regent Park residents and neighbours celebrate opening of Cole Street

lbosworth — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:53:21 -0400

Residents, friends and neighbours of Regent Park celebrated the historic opening of the community’s first new street in 50 years on Saturday. The unveiling of Cole Street and the reopening of Oak, Sackville and Regent Streets marked the opening of the Regent Park Revitalization. The reintroduction of cross streets in the area will allow the neighbourhood to integrate with the rest of Toronto’s downtown core.

With the support of Toronto Community Housing and The Daniels Corporation, the afternoon included a dramatic street display of dance, music and visual art featuring a performance designed for the occasion by Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie (CLC), a professional dance organization and Regent Park’s resident dance company.

Present to mark the occasion were Donna Cansfield, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Glen Murray, MPP, Toronto Centre; Pam McConnell, Toronto City Councillor, Ward 28; Keiko Nakamura, CEO, Toronto Community Housing; and Martin Blake, Vice President, The Daniels Corporation. Daniels is partnering with Toronto Community Housing as the builder/developer for the entire six-phase, $1 billion project – the largest re-visioning of a city core in North America.

The event drew enthusiastic crowds from all over the city, including residents from Regent Park, Cabbagetown and other surrounding neighbourhoods. The day started with a performance by Jackie Richardson, Canada’s leading gospel, blues and jazz singer, and musician and actor Sterling Jarvis (We Will Rock You) who were backed by Regent Park’s own Tynes Family Singers. Together they performed a song called ‘Dancing Down the Avenue’ written for the occasion by Daniels’ President Mitchell Cohen. Also performing at the celebration were the musical group the Regent Park Focus Youngstas.

CLC choreographed an interactive performance featuring famed Canadian countertenor Daniel Taylor. Guests enjoyed a series of surprising live outdoor performances including dance, music and visual arts throughout the first phase of the Regent Park Revitalization - an enchanting encounter with the unexpected. It culminated in a ceremonial demolition of one of the remaining walls of an old Regent Park apartment building.

When completed, the new Regent Park will house 12,500 people in 5,115 units. Phase One includes a mix of commercial tenants including Sobeys, RBC Royal Bank, Tim Hortons and Rogers. With Phase Two well underway, more than 50% of the Regent Park revitalization is rebuilt, under construction or under demolition. This phase encompasses market condominiums and affordable housing, and state-of-the-art facilities for residents, community groups and neighbours including a new community centre, an aquatic centre, a large central park in the heart of the community, and a broad range of retail services along Dundas Street East that will contribute to the reintegration with the rest of the city.

92 Carlton receives accolades for blending old and new

lbosworth — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:52:52 -0400

Poor Carlton St. Despite the presence of the venerable Maple Leaf
Gardens, various hotels and a number of condos, it feels slummy and
cheap. That all changes east of Jarvis, where Allan Gardens and a nice
stock of 19th-century buildings suddenly turn it into one of Toronto
most memorable streets.

But the stretch from Yonge to Church and Jarvis pretty much sums up
what 50 or 60 years of bad architecture and planning can do to a city.
Certainly, Toronto has no shortage of either; though some might be
inclined to defend the 1931 Gardens, a.k.a. the Carlton Street Cavern,
it brings little life to the neighbourhood. That will change shortly
when the old home of the Maple Leafs reopens as a supermarket and
athletic centre for Ryerson University. Until then, Carlton will just
have to wait patiently.

For the time being, however, for those walking the street, the view
isn’t pretty. With the exception of the marvelous Art Deco Toronto
Hydro Building at the northeast corner of Yonge and Carlton, there’s
little to get excited about. Even the recent arrivals on the south side
of Carlton — a couple of two-towered condo complexes – are monuments of
architectural mediocrity. Indeed, other than filling space and bringing
more people into the downtown core, they add little.

Even worse are the older condos, which to a building look as if
they were designed to be landmarks of banality. More recently, there
have been signs that things are finally starting to look up. It has
taken too long, but better late than never.

Condo Critic

92 CARLTON ST.: Okay, so this isn’t a condo, but
it is a new midrise residential project and that makes it relevant — and
interesting. The fact it was done by Toronto Community Housing to
provide housing for those who can’t afford full market rents makes it
all the more remarkable.

Architecturally, it is a splendid example of how old and new can be
blended in ways that enhance both. In this case, the scheme
incorporates a row of masonry facades on Carlton, behind which the new
structure sits happily.

The lowrise character of the Carlton frontage continues north up
Mutual St. The bulk of the new building has been set back, which allows
the street to breathe a little easier. With its sun shades and roof
garden, the 12-storey addition is an example of intensification at its
city-building finest. Best of all, perhaps, it manages to offer cheap
rents without looking cheap.

GRADE: A

Regent Park Revitalization Street Festival

rhewson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:06:22 -0400

Start: Jun 12 2010 - 1:00pm

End: Jun 12 2010 - 4:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Join us to celebrate this milestone, which reconnects the neighbourhood with the rest of Downtown Toronto. Residents, friends and neighbours are invited to the party, which will include:

a site-specific performance by professional dance organization and
Regent Park's resident dance company, Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie
featuring Canadian countertenor Daniel Taylor
a musical performance by gospel/blues and jazz singer Jackie
Richardson, Sterling Jarvis (We Will Rock You), members of the Nelson
Mandela Public School Choir and The Tynes Family Singers
great food and face painting
a spectacular, not-to-be-missed surprise finale!

The gathering will begin at Parliament and Cole Streets (just north of Dundas). Speakers and performances start at 2.30, and the street will be closed to vehicles from 1 to 4 p.m.