This morning, Mayor John Tory launched Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC) -- a seniors-focused social housing provider -- and its official start of operations.
Over time, the TSHC team will work with tenants and stakeholders to co-create the organization’s mission, vision and values, establish a tenant engagement system, build out the integrated service model and develop programs that enable senior tenants (ages 59 and over) to age in place with dignity and in comfort, said the City in a press release.
Wholly-owned by the City, TSHC was created in 2021 as an important part of the City’s Tenants First plan. Council direction was provided for the TSHC to assume operating responsibility for 83 seniors-designated buildings owned by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC).
The new TSHC has already welcomed employees who previously worked for TCHC’s Seniors Housing Unit, says the City. TSHC is now the landlord for the nearly 15,000 tenants who live in the seniors-designated buildings. TCHC will continue to own the buildings and be responsible for capital repairs.
“My congratulations and best wishes to the Toronto Seniors Housing team as they step into their critical role as a social housing provider to seniors in Toronto,” said Mayor Tory in a statement. “The creation of the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation delivers on a commitment we made to provide seniors with safe, well-maintained homes and improved living conditions, services and experiences and to lay the foundation for that by having an organization in place which could focus exclusively on seniors housing. This is an important milestone in the City’s Tenants First vision coming to life, and I would like to thank all those who made today’s important milestone possible.”
In a climate where Ontario's seniors have seemed an afterthought in recent years -- something glaringly exposed by the pandemic -- the goal is to better provide Toronto's most vulnerable seniors access to proper services, housing, healthcare, and community supports. It comes at a time when the city's Baby Boomer population is now into their senior years.
“We expect to receive services tailored to all seniors in the portfolio, such as cleaning, repairs, and safety and security," says Sinan Wu, Toronto Seniors Housing tenant. "It is important to maintain a secure, safe environment for seniors living here who may not have family members or relatives close by. We hope our daily lives will get better with more activities tailor-made for seniors and organized by Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation.”
This morning's official launch included a tree-planting ceremony and the installation of a commemorative plaque outside the building at 145 Strathmore Blvd, one of four TSHC regional offices. Events at the other three regional offices across the city will take place in the coming days: Wednesday, June 8, 10am at 3050 Bathurst St.; Thursday, June 9 at 10am at 100 Cavell Ave.; and Friday, June 10 at 10am.
