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Housing Applicantion deadline extended

Friends,

In the last few days, I have been contacted by community members regarding a deadline related to rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing applications.

Due to the Housing Services Act, a piece of provincial legislation, housing providers are required to review eligibility of applicants and to take action to cancel applications if there is no response from applicants to outreach attempts.

In order to help applicants to streamline their application process, complete annual reviews, view housing options, and connect with the City's RGI team, the City created an online portal called MyAccesstoHousingTO. 

Since July 2021, the City has been working with community partners, including shelters and housing organizations, to connect with applicants to ensure they register and are active on the portal. Communication efforts included five Canada Post letters campaigns, registration clinics and workshops, and providing access to 800+ shelter and community partner agency staff to support clients.

While staff have put in a tremendous amount of effort to ensure applicants move to the new system, there are still approximately 30,000 applicants who have not made contact and are at risk of having their applications cancelled.

Therefore today, at the Planning and Housing Committee, I put forward a motion to extend the deadline for housing applicants to move to the portal to at least January 31, 2024. Additionally, there will be a 24-month grace period after the deadline to allow applicants to be put back on the list.

I also advocated for additional resources for frontline workers and staff to ensure better supports are provided for transitioning applicants.

I would like to thank community members who've written and called in. I'm committed to continue conversations with housing activists and those with lived experiences to ensure that this process is a fair and just one.

Sincerely,

Gord

In this week's newsletter

- Community Consultation Meeting on October 10

     - Development application at 1437 -1455 Queen St W

     - Development application at 1266 Queen St W

- Bloor West Complete Street Extension Update

- Roncesvalles Village 3rd annual Truth and Reconciliation Day Event

- CultureLink Workshops at the Parkdale Library

 

Community Consultation for two planning applications

A re-zoning application has been submitted for 1437 – 1455 Queen St West

The application proposes a 12-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1437QueenStW.

A second re-zoning application has been submitted for 1266 Queen St West

This application proposes a 25-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1266QueenStW.

To allow you to learn more about the application, ask questions, and gather feedback, City Planning will be holding a Virtual Community Meeting on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, from 6 - 8 PM.

We will discuss the applications as follows:

  • Introduction & Policy Overview: 6:00pm – 6:15pm
  • 1437-1455 Queen Street West: 6:15pm – 7:05pm
  • 1266 Queen Street West:7:05pm – 8:00pm

Register to attend the virtual community meeting at: http://www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations

I will chair the meeting, which includes presentations from both City Planning staff and the applicants, followed by a Q&A period to allow for discussion.

More information is also available in the documents below.

Update 4: Bloor West Complete Street Extension 

This is an update on phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent. Installation of phase 1 began the week of September 11, 2023. Initial installation of Phase 1 is planned for completion in December 2023, with upgrades planned for 2024 and beyond.

Work completed up until September 26th: 

  • Removal of existing pavement and installation of new pavement markings to reconfigure the road from Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
  • Signage installation along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

Work scheduled for Sept 27th to 29th: 

  • Removal of existing pavement markings (i.e. stop bars, arrows, etc.) between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent. This work will occur during the nighttime only. 
  • Installation of pavement markings (i.e. hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc.) between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

 Work scheduled for the week of October 1st: 

  • Installation of pavement markings (i.e. hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc.) between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent. 
  • Installation of the curbs between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent, starting from Aberfoyle Crescent.
  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

 Work scheduled for the week of October 8th: 

  • Installation of curb extensions, planters, and all remaining pavement markings between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent. 
  • Continued installation of curbs along the remainder of the corridor followed by the installation of flex post bollards. 

*Work will take place both during the day and at night, weather permitting, and is scheduled to avoid conflicts with other construction in the roadway. 

This installation information email is being sent to local Councilors, BIAs, event coordinators, utility companies, City agencies and other stakeholders in the area. Should you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, please email: [email protected].  

For more project details, please visit: Toronto.ca/BloorWest 

Roncesvalles Village 3rd annual Truth and Reconciliation Day Event

This September 30th, community and neighbours are invited to join the Roncesvalles Village BIA in the third annual walk from the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden to the Roncesvalles United Church in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Event starts at 4pm.

CultureLink Workshops at the Parkdale Library

CultureLink is hosting a series of workshops at the Parkdale Library on budgeting and safety for older adults and seniors as well as professional, resume and interview related workshops for youth. 

Please see the posters below for more details.

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Pride Celebrations Kick Off at City Hall

Friends,

The City officially kicked off its Pride Month celebrations this week with a Pride Flag raising ceremony at City Hall. I was delighted to join City staff and residents at the festivities and am indeed proud that Toronto is a city where we celebrate Pride Month together.

Pride Month is about honouring the history, courage, and diversity of our 2SLGBTQ+ communities, while affirming our commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of 2SLGBTQ+ Torontonians every day of the year. More information about Pride Month programming and events across the city is available on the City’s website.

I also wanted to share a reminder that as the weather gets warmer and we spend more time outdoors, it is important that we look out for one another about staying safe during extreme heat.

Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. Vulnerable populations such as infants and young children, older adults, those with certain health conditions, people who work outdoors and people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

I encourage you to review the City’s Keep Cool website which has information on preventing heat-related illnesses, including the City’s Heat Relief Network and more than 500 Cool Spaces across Toronto where people can seek relief from the heat.

Wishing you a happy Pride Month and a joyful event and festive season ahead.

 

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study Community Consultation 
  • Bylaw Updates for Adequate Indoor Temperature in Rental Units

Ward 4

  • 3286-3316 Dundas St W Development Application Submitted
  • Roncy Remarket this Saturday
  • The Junction Farmers Market has returned
  • West Toronto Junction Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study Community Consultation

Transportation Updates

  • Stop Sign at Springhurst Ave and Close Ave
  • West Parkdale Cycling Connection Update
  • Contact us for a 'Slow Down' sign

Victoria Day Long Weekend

Friends,

I am wishing you and your loved ones a happy long weekend, and invite you to take advantage of the wide range of family-friendly activities offered by the City.

Of note, on Saturday, May 17, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until Sunday, September 14. Splash pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.

The City’s CaféTO 2025 program is also set to kick off this weekend, bringing outdoor dining opportunities to our communities.  More than 280 local restaurants and bars are participating in this year’s curb lane cafe program, as well as more than 550 sidewalk cafes and more than 700 private patios, helping to energize neighbourhoods, support small businesses and create dynamic public spaces that bring people together. More information about CaféTO is available on the City’s CaféTO website. 

I want to highlight that on the following weekend, Doors Open Toronto will be returning to beloved sites across our city.  Doors Open Toronto enables residents to visit Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free on May 24 & 25. Sites are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. The public can also register for free city-wide guided neighbourhood tours and a series of themed talks. Find more information and sign up for free talks and tours on the City’s Doors Open Toronto webpage.

As warmer weather sets in, this is an exciting time for Torontonians to once again be together outdoors. I hope you can explore and discover new facets of our wonderful neighbourhoods, parks, and public spaces in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,   

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Ward 4

City Hall

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Phone: 416-392-7919
Address:
100 Queen St W, Suite A14
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
City of Toronto
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