At a recent meeting, Councilor Chris Moyles from Toronto Center, Ward 113, led a discussion focused on redevelopment efforts and urban maintenance in the downtown core. Councillor Moise and community advocates confronted the city’s escalating affordable housing crisis, specifically centred on a contested property at 214 to 230 Sherbourne Street.

 Dimitrije Martinovic – Local Journalism Initiative

Long regarded as a potential site for social housing, this property has sparked debate between those who want it preserved for affordable housing and a private developer with plans to construct luxury condominiums. The meeting highlighted fundamental tensions between public responsibility and private development interests, as well as the urgent need for the city to prioritize affordable housing over high-end projects.

The Sherbourne Street property, currently under developer ownership, was originally targeted by the city for affordable housing. Council members and housing advocates voiced frustration that a prime site in a community with a high concentration of low-income residents could now be lost to luxury development. One attendee underscored the disparity between the proposed condos and the critical needs of local residents, citing Toronto’s lack of affordable housing as a pressing crisis. Calls for the city to expropriate the property to ensure its use for deeply affordable housing were met with acknowledgment of budgetar challenges, though some council members agreed that expropriation might be a necessary step forward.

Alongside the Sherbourne Street issue, the council addressed concerns about community safety, noting an increase in crime, including drug-related activities affecting local neighbourhoods. City officials highlighted the need for multifaceted solutions, which would include mental health support and addiction services rather than sole reliance on law enforcement. Community members emphasized the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of affordable housing and crime prevention, advocating for safe, stable housing as a pathway to reducing social vulnerability.

Further discussions also brought attention to the strain high rental costs are placing on essential workers, including nurses, educators, and support staff, who are finding it increasingly difficult to live near their workplaces due to Toronto’s unaffordable housing market. Council members reported that many institutions face hiring challenges, impacting service provision across the community.

Finally, the council addressed concerns over the maintenance and upkeep of community facilities, with particular focus on the northeast sector of the city, where residents reported declining service quality due to facility repairs and deferred maintenance. Officials clarified that while no major renovations are currently planned, ongoing upkeep remains a priority to ensure continued access and quality of services.

The council closed with a commitment to balance private development interests with public needs, prioritizing affordable housing initiatives and community support. With increasing demands on resources, Toronto officials pledged to collaborate on immediate and long-term strategies to address housing affordability, safety concerns, and essential facility maintenance to foster a resilient, inclusive community.