ADVOCATES from various groups call for more affordable housing in South Etobicoke on National Housing Day. Courtesy photos.
South Etobicoke at one time was one of the more affordable places in the City of Toronto for people to find affordable housing.
Today, like most of the city, there is little affordable housing accessible to low income families, seniors, students or anyone searching.
Housing is a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive communities. Each year, National Housing Day is held on November 22. It’s a day to recognize the important work done by housing partners across Canada to improve access to housing for everyone in Canada.
LOW INCOME people and families cannot afford to live in Toronto any more.
In our community, a number of agencies have banded together to call for action. Groups like LAMP Community Health Centre, the Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy and Action Group (LAHAAG) and Humber Research Study on Affordable Housing (SEHA) have launched a campaign for action to addresses the ‘affordable housing crisis in South Etobicoke.’
Group members warn that investment companies are purchasing properties which are renovated and have their rent increased to displace renters.
“Using ‘rennovictions’ they get tenants to move and then jack up the rents unaffordable to the previous tenants and others on income supports,” according to a statement by the groups.
“This combined with gentrification of the area and skyrocketing house and apartment prices in the GTA has made renting unaffordable for many who have lived here all their lives,” the advocates say. “The crisis is that there is nothing for low income people to move into and we need to change that.”
They are calling on the three levels of government to build or convert buildings into affordable housing and ‘we need to give renters who are struggling to pay skyrocketing rents housing allowances to stay where they are. “
“We need more of the housing allowances-subsidies and higher ones for cities like Toronto where rents are much higher than in smaller towns,” the activists said.
Cards were sent to local politicians asking them to collaborate and work together to get results.
“We are calling for some kindness and positive advocacy to raise awareness about the need for action now around affordable housing in South Etobicoke,” they said.
For more information contact Jasmind@lampchc.org or at 416 252 6471 ext 308.