Ontario Government releases Housing Affordability Report with Mixed Reviews

The Ontario government recently released the Housing Affordability Task Force report that makes 55 recommendations aimed at reining in home prices by dramatically boosting the supply of housing. The report was released publicly on February 8, 2022, less than two months after Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark appointed the task … Read more

EHON Update – FoNTRA expresses concerns to Planning & Housing Committee

FoNTRA recently wrote a letter to the Chair of the Planning & Housing Committee expressing concerns about the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods program. In the Letter, FoNTRA supports the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program in principle. However, neighbourhoods across the City have different characteristics that must be taken into consideration in expanding building … Read more

EHON Update … City Council expands permissions

On February 2, 2022 , Toronto City Council expanded permissions to build garden suites on residential properties. Through new policies and zoning requirements, garden suites will be permitted in most of the city’s residential zones. The garden suites project is one of many initiatives under Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program, which is designed to facilitate … Read more

Will hunt for affordable homes destroy single family living?

Geoff Kettel, co-chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) has distributed a video and other data in advance of a City Council meeting on February 2 to address the introduction into Toronto of so-called Garden Suites. These are homes built in the backyards of single-family homes in neighbourhoods that would otherwise be protected from … Read more

Previous attempts to empower the City of Toronto have not gone far enough.

The City of Toronto Act, in 2006, gave the city the power to establish its own form of governance, subject to review by the Ontario Municipal Board. The province revoked that power in 2018 with legislation unilaterally reducing the number of councillors from 47 to 25, in addition to changing the ward system. ​ A City Charter will … Read more

Tall and Mid-rise developments in the SERRA region

SERRA has been actively engaged since 2016 in working with local residents to help address their concerns with respect to Tall and Mid-rise developments in our region. We reached a milestone recently as the 45th large development was added to our list. SERRA needs the active support of all our residents as we address each … Read more

Building Laneway Suites Across the City

As of July 16, 2019, the City of Toronto allows the construction of Laneway Suites across the City on residential properties that share a property line with a public lane, subject to criteria: By-law requirements for Laneway Suites Applying for a Building Permit for a Laneway Suite Development Charge Deferral Program and Affordable Laneway Suites … Read more

Davisville Apartment Neighbourhood Survey

WHAT DO WE NEED TO KEEP THIS A GREAT COMMUNITY?WE NEED YOUR INPUT! As you are likely aware, the neighbourhood is currently facing 8 new developments at 265 Balliol, 155 Balliol, 22 Balliol, 30 Merton, 140 Merton, 274 Merton, 141 Davisville and 1951 Yonge. Those projects might not all proceed as currently proposed, but it … Read more

Midtown in Focus: Final Report – City Council approved Amendments

November 2018 Update / Report by South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (A. Gort) When adopting the MIF: Final Report, City Council asked for a series of reports and actions from City staff that are relevant to the effective implementation of the MIF Plan (in the form of amendments). Here is a link to the City … Read more