Red dots represent the wards in which at least one candidate has take the Affordable Housing Pledge
Rents are unaffordable for nearly half of Toronto renters. The unaffordability rate is roughly 10% higher for South Asian, Black and Chinese households than non-racialized households. The eviction filing rate in Humber River-Black Creek is six times as high as Scarborough North: overall neighbourhoods with a greater proportion of Black renters have double the eviction filing rate of other neighbourhoods.
If Toronto wants to grow equitably, we need to acknowledge housing is a fundamental human right. That means everyone has the right to a home that is:
Affordable – the cost of housing still leaves households money for food and other essentials
Habitable – a safe, secure and healthy environment
Accessible – to people of all ages and all abilities to live with dignity
Secure – protecting residents from arbitrary eviction
Served by public infrastructure and close to employment, education and services
2022 Toronto Election Candidates:
We’re calling on you to pledge your support for the following seven practical steps towards making Toronto a fairer and more equitable city for ALL.
Deepen the benefits of Toronto’s housing investments
I pledge: To combine rent supplements with existing City housing initiatives to create homes that are truly affordable for Toronto’s lowest income earners.
2. Preserve the affordable housing we already have
I pledge: To progressively expand Toronto’s Multi-Unit Residential Acquisitions Program to keep more rental properties affordable forever.
Housing that is habitable
3. Learn about a building’s condition from the people who live there
I pledge: To establish protocols to ensure tenants have an active voice in the evaluation of their homes, with enough Bylaw Enforcement Officers to do the job.
Housing that is accessible
4. Direct public investment to homes that are accessible to all
I pledge: To champion Universal Design in all new apartment buildings so that anyone of any age or ability can move into and stay in their homes.
To ensure the City’s centralized waiting lists effectively match disabled applicants with the appropriate housing.
Housing that is secure
5. Prevent homelessness
I pledge: To expand the City’s eviction prevention programs, rent supports and housing stabilization supports to enable tenants to remain in their homes and challenge bad faith evictions.
Housing close to services and infrastructure
6. Make the most of our public infrastructure
I pledge: To facilitate the creation of shared housing, second suites, walk-up apartments, townhouses and other “gentle density” throughout Toronto.
Putting the pledges into action
7. Fulfill Toronto’s commitment to the right to housing
I pledge: To finally create and fully fund the Office of the Housing Commissioner in 2023.
Candidates, to take this pledge please fill out this form:
Candidates who have taken the Affordable Housing Pledge
The Affordable Housing Pledge is a set of seven practical steps that could help to make Toronto a fairer and more equitable city for all residents.
The following Mayoral and Councillor candidates have taken the Affordable Housing Pledge.
NOTE: Taking the Affordable Housing Pledge does not equal an endorsement of any kind by Right to Housing Toronto. We encourage voters to do their own research into the platforms of Councillor candidates in their Ward and those running for Mayor.
