Lorna's Housing Plan for Ward 7

Toronto residents; tenants; households awaiting rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing; community-service users; municipal employees and unions; local businesses; taxpayers.

Toronto already has Toronto Builds and expedited approvals. I will seek Council approval to require housing referrals at three triggers, with coordinated financing, approvals and construction delivery for viable projects.

Triggered on:

• Property sale: A City-owned property is being considered for sale.
• Facility replacement: A municipal facility is scheduled for major reconstruction or replacement.
• Annual property review: A new mandatory ward-by-ward review of existing City records identifies underused land or buildings with housing potential.

Fast-tracking development:

• Start earlier: Refer sites to Toronto Builds before disposal or major facility replacement decisions.
• Work simultaneously: Coordinate design, financing and departmental reviews wherever lawful.
• Eliminate duplication: Reuse existing City records, studies and approvals work.
• Accelerate approvals: Apply the existing Toronto Builds expedited process to eligible proposals.
• Move to construction: Assign a responsible project lead to resolve delays and advance viable, funded projects.

Proposals would consider public ownership, deeply affordable and RGI housing, rent-to-own, recreation, childcare and revenue-producing commercial space.

Accountability: Publish costs, financial comparisons, progress and reasons development cannot proceed. Where public ownership offers greater long-term value, any proposed sale must undergo public consultation and a documented Council decision.

Duration: Continue mandatory referrals and annual reviews until the RGI housing waitlist backlog is eliminated.

Residents; community organizations; local businesses; developers; municipal employees; taxpayers.

When communities oppose development over legitimate concerns, I will seek solutions that protect community interests without sacrificing housing and economic opportunities.

The City would:

• Resolve: Identify specific concerns and explore changes to the original proposal.
• Relocate: If those changes cannot resolve the conflict, examine voluntary land exchanges offering comparable development value in a more suitable location.
• Preserve: Prioritize keeping housing, investment and community services within the ward.
• Expedite: Continue existing planning work during negotiations to avoid unnecessary delays.

Land exchanges would require developer agreement, independent valuation and appropriate City approval.

Start with 3100 Weston Road. Request an assessment of whether the development can proceed with appropriate protections or whether a negotiated land exchange could preserve community space while retaining the proposed housing investment in Ward 7.

Residents, community organizations and businesses would identify concerns and review proposed solutions before land-exchange decisions.

Ward 7 residents; households needing affordable and RGI housing; recreation users; City staff; TDSB; local businesses; taxpayers.

Seek preliminary mixed-use redevelopment assessments for three Ward 7 recreation properties:

• Driftwood Community Recreation Centre.
• Oakdale Community Centre.
• Habitant Arena, 3383 Weston Road.

Explore affordable and rent-geared-to-income housing alongside replacement or improved recreation facilities, childcare and other services identified by residents. Proposals must account for site feasibility, financing, existing community access and required approvals.

Negotiate temporary recreation access at nearby TDSB schools outside instructional hours where feasible. Any City-funded school upgrades would remain with the schools. Arrange alternative recreation services before closures.

Use the proposed citywide Toronto Builds referral and fast-track policy to move suitable sites through design, financing and approvals toward construction.

Neighbourhood-specific surveys would identify priorities for housing, childcare, accessibility, youth and seniors' services, recreation and commercial space. Residents would be consulted on redevelopment proposals and arrangements to maintain recreation access.