Toronto’s turning some of its offices into housing. Advocates say it’s a ‘model’ for other governments
Council unanimously approved plans on Wednesday to modernize city real estate
City experts and housing advocates are applauding a move by Toronto council to change the way it manages city-owned buildings — and they’re hoping other cities and governments follow suit.
On Wednesday, councillors unanimously passed the next phase of the city’s plan to cut its office footprint from 55 locations to 15, a move it estimates will save more than $30 million annually. Now, the City of Toronto has the go-ahead to renovate eight of its properties in the coming years to create 500 to 600 new affordable housing units while expanding services.
The plan is a clever way forward and other industries should support the city in its plans, says Leslie Woo, CEO of civic engagement non-profit CivicAction, who’s also worked in urban planning in Toronto.
“Now we need the city and all its partners to support this effort and not be throwing darts at it,” said Woo.
“It’s a model that could work for everyone … so let’s see how we can apply it in other places.”
Experts and advocates like Woo say the city now has the opportunity to set a precedent for how other municipalities — even federal and provincial governments — should use their real estate portfolios as a tool to tackle the national housing crisis.
