Opening Doors
With Purpose

Annual Report 2021

A collage of pictures with TCHC tenants, buildings, community partners with the TCHC logo in the middle.

A message from the Chair

Timothy MurphyIn 2021, COVID-19 continued to challenge all of us and we recognize that it was a difficult year for many tenants. TCHC prioritized our commitment to tenants by ensuring the safety of our buildings and spaces during the pandemic, improving our services overall, and focusing our efforts on providing clean and well-maintained homes across all of our communities.

It was an eventful year for our Board at Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). In February, we approved TCHC’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Strategy. The strategy will guide TCHC in implementing changes needed to address the realities of anti-Black racism experienced by Black tenants and staff, and to proactively dismantle policies, systems and procedures that reinforce anti-Black racism. In June, the Board approved funding for a key recommendation of the strategy, the creation of The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People, which began operating in December 2021.

The Board said farewell to Kevin Marshman, who retired after serving for two years as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kevin had also served as Board Chair and Vice Chair during his five years of dedicated service to TCHC. Later in the year, following an extensive search process led by the Board, we announced the appointment of Jag Sharma as President and CEO. When he joined us in August, Jag brought exemplary leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to service excellence. The Board is confident that, under Jag’s leadership, TCHC will continue to improve its service delivery and business operations.

"Staff did exemplary work to deliver essential services and keep tenants safe by connecting them to food, medications and other urgently needed supports."
Tim Murphy, Chair, Board of Directors

Our Board welcomed two new directors in 2021: Tenant Director Marcel Charlebois and Citizen Director Naram Mansour, and welcomed back Tenant Director Ubah Farah for a second term. We thanked Tenant Director Amanda Coombs and Citizen Director Linda Jackson for their service during their terms, which ended in 2021. We also began a process to add a third Tenant Director to the Board which will be completed in 2022.

Our board provided oversight and advice in 2021 on the transition to the new Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC). The transition has involved the boards of both corporations, the TSHC Transition Team, TCHC management and City staff working together for a smooth transition. Our goal is to implement the transition in a way that minimizes disruption and positions both Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and a smaller, focused Toronto Community Housing for future success.

On behalf of the Board, I want to thank all TCHC employees for the tremendous work they have done throughout 2021 to deliver our response to COVID-19. Staff did exemplary work to deliver essential services and keep tenants safe by connecting them to food, medications and other urgently needed supports. They also organized some 400 clinics in our buildings to break down barriers and help seniors and isolated tenants get the vaccine. The Board deeply appreciates these efforts.

Tim Murphy (he/him)
Chair, Board of Directors

A message from the President and CEO

Jag SharmaThis is an important time for Toronto Community Housing. We have a great team with great leaders, great tenants who care about TCHC and want to be part of the solution, great partners and stakeholders, and strong support from our shareholder, the City of Toronto. Our strategic priorities are the right priorities at the right time. They set the groundwork for delivering service excellence and meeting the support needs of tenants.

TCHC continued to improve service delivery in 2021 through the Tenant Service Hubs in the family portfolio and the Integrated Service Model in the seniors portfolio. We opened 88 Tenant Service Hubs across the city and are adding more in 2022. The Hubs reflect our commitment to empowering decision-making by local staff to support tenants’ needs. In September 2021, our Seniors Housing Unit launched Phase 2 of the Integrated Service Model for seniors housing. By the end of the year, staff were using this enhanced approach for delivering services and supports in 52 of our 83 seniors buildings. Once fully implemented in 2022, the model will support more than 14,000 senior tenants to age in place with dignity and in comfort.

"Our actions are building employee pride, tenant confidence and the trust of our partners and City shareholder."
Jag Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer

In 2021 we began work to transition the responsibility for operating our 83 seniors-designated buildings to the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation. We welcome this opportunity to make a strong contribution to our city and help senior tenants get the housing, health and community supports they need. TCHC, TSHC and the City are working together to plan for a smooth transition on June 1, 2022.

We made great strides in 2021 in replacing our aging information technology infrastructure and transforming our business processes through the HoMES project. HoMES will give our staff the information and tools they need to deliver tenancy management and build a business intelligence foundation that supports timely decisions and effective actions.

In launching The Centre for the Advancement of the Interests of Black People in 2021, we delivered a key recommendation of our Confronting Anti-Black Racism Strategy. The Centre is an open, safe space to have conversations about race and anti-Black racism. It will drive our efforts to address systemic anti-Black racism and, in turn, address all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and build a foundation for strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion across TCHC.

TCHC cannot solve issues of crime and gun violence alone, but we learned from incidents in 2021 about how we can listen to those impacted by violence in our communities and work with our partners to find solutions. Through our Violence Reduction Program, we continued to implement a range of enforcement, community economic development, social supports and youth programs in communities that have been deeply impacted by gun violence.

Our actions are building employee pride, tenant confidence and the trust of our partners and City shareholder. While there is still more work to do, our efforts have energy and momentum, and we are on the right path to consistently deliver positive outcomes for the tenants and families who call TCHC home.

Jag Sharma (he/him)
President and Chief Executive Officer

A message from the Chair

In 2021, COVID-19 continued to challenge all of us and we recognize that it was a difficult year for many tenants. TCHC prioritized our commitment to tenants by ensuring the safety of our buildings and spaces during the pandemic, improving our services overall, and focusing our efforts on providing clean and well-maintained homes across all of our communities.

It was an eventful year for our Board at Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). In February, we approved TCHC’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Strategy. The strategy will guide TCHC in implementing changes needed to address the realities of anti-Black racism experienced by Black tenants and staff, and to proactively dismantle policies, systems and procedures that reinforce anti-Black racism. In June, the Board approved funding for a key recommendation of the strategy, the creation of The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People, which began operating in December 2021.

The Board said farewell to Kevin Marshman, who retired after serving for two years as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kevin had also served as Board Chair and Vice Chair during his five years of dedicated service to TCHC. Later in the year, following an extensive search process led by the Board, we announced the appointment of Jag Sharma as President and CEO. When he joined us in August, Jag brought exemplary leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to service excellence. The Board is confident that, under Jag’s leadership, TCHC will continue to improve its service delivery and business operations.

"Staff did exemplary work to deliver essential services and keep tenants safe by connecting them to food, medications and other urgently needed supports."
Tim Murphy, Chair, Board of Directors

Our Board welcomed two new directors in 2021: Tenant Director Marcel Charlebois and Citizen Director Naram Mansour, and welcomed back Tenant Director Ubah Farah for a second term. We thanked Tenant Director Amanda Coombs and Citizen Director Linda Jackson for their service during their terms, which ended in 2021. We also began a process to add a third Tenant Director to the Board which will be completed in 2022.

Our board provided oversight and advice in 2021 on the transition to the new Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC). The transition has involved the boards of both corporations, the TSHC Transition Team, TCHC management and City staff working together for a smooth transition. Our goal is to implement the transition in a way that minimizes disruption and positions both Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and a smaller, focused Toronto Community Housing for future success.

On behalf of the Board, I want to thank all TCHC employees for the tremendous work they have done throughout 2021 to deliver our response to COVID-19. Staff did exemplary work to deliver essential services and keep tenants safe by connecting them to food, medications and other urgently needed supports. They also organized some 400 clinics in our buildings to break down barriers and help seniors and isolated tenants get the vaccine. The Board deeply appreciates these efforts.

Tim Murphy (he/him)
Chair, Board of Directors

A message from the President and CEO

This is an important time for Toronto Community Housing. We have a great team with great leaders, great tenants who care about TCHC and want to be part of the solution, great partners and stakeholders, and strong support from our shareholder, the City of Toronto. Our strategic priorities are the right priorities at the right time. They set the groundwork for delivering service excellence and meeting the support needs of tenants.

TCHC continued to improve service delivery in 2021 through the Tenant Service Hubs in the family portfolio and the Integrated Service Model in the seniors portfolio. We opened 88 Tenant Service Hubs across the city and are adding more in 2022. The Hubs reflect our commitment to empowering decision-making by local staff to support tenants’ needs. In September 2021, our Seniors Housing Unit launched Phase 2 of the Integrated Service Model for seniors housing. By the end of the year, staff were using this enhanced approach for delivering services and supports in 52 of our 83 seniors buildings. Once fully implemented in 2022, the model will support more than 14,000 senior tenants to age in place with dignity and in comfort.

"Our actions are building employee pride, tenant confidence and the trust of our partners and City shareholder."
Jag Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer

In 2021 we began work to transition the responsibility for operating our 83 seniors-designated buildings to the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation. We welcome this opportunity to make a strong contribution to our city and help senior tenants get the housing, health and community supports they need. TCHC, TSHC and the City are working together to plan for a smooth transition on June 1, 2022.

We made great strides in 2021 in replacing our aging information technology infrastructure and transforming our business processes through the HoMES project. HoMES will give our staff the information and tools they need to deliver tenancy management and build a business intelligence foundation that supports timely decisions and effective actions.

In launching The Centre for the Advancement of the Interests of Black People in 2021, we delivered a key recommendation of our Confronting Anti-Black Racism Strategy. The Centre is an open, safe space to have conversations about race and anti-Black racism. It will drive our efforts to address systemic anti-Black racism and, in turn, address all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and build a foundation for strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion across TCHC.

TCHC cannot solve issues of crime and gun violence alone, but we learned from incidents in 2021 about how we can listen to those impacted by violence in our communities and work with our partners to find solutions. Through our Violence Reduction Program, we continued to implement a range of enforcement, community economic development, social supports and youth programs in communities that have been deeply impacted by gun violence.

Our actions are building employee pride, tenant confidence and the trust of our partners and City shareholder. While there is still more work to do, our efforts have energy and momentum, and we are on the right path to consistently deliver positive outcomes for the tenants and families who call TCHC home.

Jag Sharma (he/him)
President and Chief Executive Officer

Strategic direction

Our strategy guides every decision we make and the resources we invest. It keeps us focused on the paths we must follow to achieve our goals. Our direction and our priorities are designed to move us closer to the vision of “Quality homes in vibrant communities where people are proud to live and work” and where strategy becomes a reality for our employees and tenants.

A group of people cutting a ribbon in front of a Tenant Service Hub.

Tenant Service Hubs

Support in the community

TCHC continued to open new Tenant Service Hubs in communities across Toronto in 2021. Tenant Service Hubs are a key component of our new service delivery model.

Bringing tenant leadership to life: Indra Adjei

For tenants at 2743 Victoria Park and for community members in the area, Indra Adjei is a familiar face. Indra is an active leader on several tenant engagement and outreach programs that support the area's Community Action Plan. She brings commitment and involvement to planning and decision making, as well as coordination and volunteer management for different events and initiatives.

Among her countless contributions to the community, Indra has led back-to-school events, holiday giveaways, vaccine clinics and information sessions, and a garbage disposal project. She goes above and beyond by giving out warm meals, voluntarily shoveling snow following heavy snowfalls, and decorating the lobby during the winter holiday season. She is a consistent and constant advocate for tenants in the community.

“We continue to provide food and clothing for the community. They rely on us, and I am proud to offer what they need at no cost to them.”
Indra Adjei, community leader

For the past eight years, Indra has organized a chef’s kitchen with prepared hot foods and meals for her fellow tenants. With the support of City Street Outreach, she has connected the community with a steady supply of much-needed groceries and household items. The TCHC common space in the building has provided a continuous location for this important work. “I am so proud of the fact that I have not closed down once during this whole pandemic,” says Indra. “We continue to provide food and clothing for the community. They rely on us, and I am proud to offer what they need at no cost to them.”

“Indra’s Boutique,” as many locals know it, provides clothing, household goods and other essential products to families and children who appreciate the opportunity to “shop” for what they need at no cost to them. Many refugee families are welcomed warmly by Indra to the boutique where they are able to find and receive support to set up new households in Canada.

Indra’s volunteer efforts provide invaluable support to her TCHC community and beyond. She is an important example of tenant leadership and the tremendous achievements that are possible when one individual brings commitment, warmth and dedication to helping others.

TCHC recognizes Indra’s exceptional efforts and those of other tenant leaders in our communities. We would also like to acknowledge and thank City Street Outreach and all other donors that provide free goods, food and products for the community.

Indra Adjei standing in front of tables full of donated food.
Indra Adjei standing in front of long tables piled high with bread.
Indra Adjei standing behind tables full of produce and shelves of pantry items.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism

The voices and lived experiences of tenants and staff have helped shape a strategy to proactively dismantle policies, systems and procedures that reinforce anti-Black racism. As an employer and a social housing provider, TCHC is addressing systemic barriers affecting tenants and staff through our CABR Strategy and Action Plan.

A young Black person with braids wearing a beige blazer is speaking on stage.

CABR Strategy: Reconstructing the way we address anti-Black racism

The voices and lived experiences of more than 600 tenants and staff helped shape a strategy with a vision that will proactively dismantle policies, systems and procedures that reinforce anti-Black racism.

“Black tenants know what it’s like to feel unsafe in systems that are meant to protect us,” said Tenant-Staff Advisory Board member Kiaunna Bennett. “It’s essential that TCHC does not have any biases or stereotypes when delivering services.”

"It’s essential that TCHC does not have any biases or stereotypes when delivering services."
Kiaunna Bennett, Tenant-Staff Advisory Board member

Kiaunna’s voice and many others became the framework for TCHC’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Strategy and built the foundation for addressing anti-Black racism at Toronto Community Housing.

2021 was a groundbreaking year in our work to confront anti-Black racism at TCHC, starting with the Board of Directors approving the CABR strategy in February.

“The CABR strategy and the eight-point plan highlights the way we will transform TCHC and Toronto at large,” said Evelyn Amponsah, Director, The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People. “The strategy is intended to push our organization to recognize how anti-Black racism harms tenants and staff, work towards systemic change and reconstruct the way we support individuals affected by anti-Black racism.”

Following the approval of the CABR strategy, we created a three-year plan with 43 actions enabling us to establish positive outcomes for Black tenants and staff in engagement and service delivery.

"Our approach to the work stems from a human-centric framework, positive tenant experiences, quality homes and vibrant communities."
Shane Bourne, Community Safety Advisor

“When service delivery becomes mandatory, and our approach to the work stems from a human-centric framework, positive tenant experiences, quality homes and vibrant communities come automatically,” said Shane Bourne, Community Safety Advisor.

With the new strategy in place, we established The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People (“The Centre”) to oversee the implementation of the CABR Strategy. The Centre was formally launched in December 2021.

By the end of 2021, The Centre team:

  • Established the Tenant-Staff Oversight and Advisory Board composed of 15 staff and tenant members. This group oversees accountability in advancing the CABR Strategy.
  • Received 33 cases related to anti-Black racism and resolved 25.
  • Held three staff and two tenant consultations related to the development of the action plans.
  • Led 26 virtual training sessions for staff to learn more about the CABR strategy.

To learn more about The Centre team and the CABR strategy, visit torontohousing.ca/cabr.

CABR Strategy: Reconstructing the way we address anti-Black racism

The voices and lived experiences of more than 600 tenants and staff helped shape a strategy with a vision that will proactively dismantle policies, systems and procedures that reinforce anti-Black racism.

“Black tenants know what it’s like to feel unsafe in systems that are meant to protect us,” said Tenant-Staff Advisory Board member Kiaunna Bennett. “It’s essential that TCHC does not have any biases or stereotypes when delivering services.”

"It’s essential that TCHC does not have any biases or stereotypes when delivering services."
Kiaunna Bennett, Tenant-Staff Advisory Board member

Kiaunna’s voice and many others became the framework for TCHC’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Strategy and built the foundation for addressing anti-Black racism at Toronto Community Housing.

2021 was a groundbreaking year in our work to confront anti-Black racism at TCHC, starting with the Board of Directors approving the CABR strategy in February.

“The CABR strategy and the eight-point plan highlights the way we will transform TCHC and Toronto at large,” said Evelyn Amponsah, Director, The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People. “The strategy is intended to push our organization to recognize how anti-Black racism harms tenants and staff, work towards systemic change and reconstruct the way we support individuals affected by anti-Black racism.”

Following the approval of the CABR strategy, we created a three-year plan with 43 actions enabling us to establish positive outcomes for Black tenants and staff in engagement and service delivery.

"Our approach to the work stems from a human-centric framework, positive tenant experiences, quality homes and vibrant communities."
Shane Bourne, Community Safety Advisor

“When service delivery becomes mandatory, and our approach to the work stems from a human-centric framework, positive tenant experiences, quality homes and vibrant communities come automatically,” said Shane Bourne, Community Safety Advisor.

With the new strategy in place, we established The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People (“The Centre”) to oversee the implementation of the CABR Strategy. The Centre was formally launched in December 2021.

By the end of 2021, The Centre team:

  • Established the Tenant-Staff Oversight and Advisory Board composed of 15 staff and tenant members. This group oversees accountability in advancing the CABR Strategy.
  • Received 33 cases related to anti-Black racism and resolved 25.
  • Held three staff and two tenant consultations related to the development of the action plans.
  • Led 26 virtual training sessions for staff to learn more about the CABR strategy.

To learn more about The Centre team and the CABR strategy, visit torontohousing.ca/cabr.

Partnerships and programs

Through collaboration with our community partners, and a dedicated staff team, TCHC provides tenants with a breadth of diverse programming through a range of recreation, work placement, scholarship and social programs. Key partnerships are integral in helping to serve the diverse needs of TCHC communities.

A group of children playing soccer in a grassy field.

2021 Investing in Our Diversity Scholarships

2021 was another successful year for the Investing in our Diversity Scholarship Program.

The program awarded scholarships to 49 recipients who will attend 15 different colleges or universities across Ontario, Canada and the United States.

The Investing in our Diversity Scholarships are awarded to Toronto youth based on academic excellence, financial eligibility and community leadership. The scholarships promote youth empowerment, diversity and community safety in Toronto. Students receive up to $4,000 to pursue postsecondary studies or professional training.

The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship Program was founded in 2001 by the late Bill McMurtry, Founding Partner, Blaney McMurtry LLP, and Kevin Lee, former Executive Director of Scadding Court Community Centre. Toronto Community Housing became a partner in 2006.

View this video to hear the stories of two successful scholarship recipients and a scholarship donor.

2021 Investing in Our Diversity Scholarships

2021 was another successful year for the Investing in our Diversity Scholarship Program.

The program awarded scholarships to 49 recipients who will attend 15 different colleges or universities across Ontario, Canada and the United States.

The Investing in our Diversity Scholarships are awarded to Toronto youth based on academic excellence, financial eligibility and community leadership. The scholarships promote youth empowerment, diversity and community safety in Toronto. Students receive up to $4,000 to pursue postsecondary studies or professional training.

The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship Program was founded in 2001 by the late Bill McMurtry, Founding Partner, Blaney McMurtry LLP, and Kevin Lee, former Executive Director of Scadding Court Community Centre. Toronto Community Housing became a partner in 2006.

View this video to hear the stories of two successful scholarship recipients and a scholarship donor.

Leslie Nymark mural

Partnering with the community

Through our partnership with STEPS Public Art we offered a unique opportunity to residents of the revitalized Villaways community to work directly with a local artist to contribute to the content and design of a new public artwork in their community.

Video by STEPS Public Art. Artwork by Jessey Pacho, Moises Frank and Alex Popelavskis.

Community impact

TCHC aims to bring positive change into our communities and the lives of tenants. In 2021, TCHC facilitated corporate donations, led and supported public health initiatives and implemented programs to reduce violence within our communities.

TCHC staff and special constables wearing face masks standing behind a table with packaged meals.

Willowtree Court

Reimagining spaces together

The revitalization of Willowtree Court is an example of TCHC staff working hand in hand with the community. The stunning new basketball court features a new design based on input from local residents.

Video by Franz and Zmuda Films. Artwork by Pam Lostracco.

From our TCHC team

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the TCHC team expressed pride and excitement about our work to create great communities where tenants can live and thrive.

About our communities

TCHC communities are located across Toronto and are home to a highly diverse group of tenants. This section shares an overview about our tenants and our building portfolio.

Aerial view of Regent Park.

About our tenants and buildings

TCHC’s tenants come from many different backgrounds with a diversity in age, education, language, religion, ethnicity and race. Youth tenants continue to represent a significant number of individuals in our overall communities. 32,728 or 31 per cent of TCHC tenants are youth under the age of 24. The majority of households also continues to be single-person households, with 30,790 or 56 per cent of households in this category. The average length of tenancy is just over 10 years. TCHC’s overall portfolio includes 2106 buildings and 58,908 units.

2021 Highlights

Total number of tenants:

0


Average tenant age:

0
YEARS
  • Age
  • Children (0-12): 13,541
  • Youth (13-24): 19,187
  • Adult (25-58): 38,305
  • Senior (59+): 31,720
  • Unidentified: 2,496
  • Sex
  • Male: 43,525
  • Female: 58,702
  • Unidentified: 3,023

Total households:

0


Average tenancy length:

0
YEARS
  • Household finances
  • Market households: 6,377
  • RGI households: 48,653
  • Household composition
  • Single-person households: 30,790
  • Family households (w/ children): 19,245
  • Couple/Roommate households: 4,684

Total units:

0


Total buildings

0

Representing and connecting the community: Rob Bezanson

Rob Bezanson, wearing glasses and a black polo shirt is smiling at the camera.

Rob Bezanson has always been an active member of his community. Born in Nova Scotia, Rob has been a firefighter and a paramedic, and has practised law. Now, he is a TCHC Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative for his building.

As a new tenant to TCHC in 2012, Rob was motivated to investigate how he could contribute to his community. In seeking opportunities to help, various barriers to communicate presented a challenge. As he worked through these barriers over the years, the building tenant representative invited him to a Tenant Representatives meeting.

“It’s about bringing people together to resolve challenges and get on the same page.”
Rob Bezanson, Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative

After attending a couple of their meetings, he asked the Community Services Coordinator (CSC) if he could organize a tenant meeting in his building. This led to the development and creation of the building’s Health and Safety Committee that is still in effect. During the meeting, it was decided that the group needed another “team leader”. Rob was unanimously voted in as a Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative.

Rob has long recognized that there are two sides to every problem and that there is always a way to make a solution work. “When you build a solid community, your problems become easier to correct,” says Rob. “It’s about bringing people together to resolve challenges and get on the same page.”

One of the first things Rob did as Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative was to invite the Community Safety Unit, followed by Toronto Police Service and Toronto Fire Services, to meet and engage with tenants in his building. The sessions were well received, and tenants have shared that they appreciate the opportunity to ask questions and build connections.

"When you build a solid community, your problems become easier to correct."
Rob Bezanson, Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative

Since Rob became a Community Representative, he has worked tirelessly on new initiatives for his building. This includes the repainting of the building’s recreation room for re-opening, starting a food bank, running a book club, creating a kid’s area, and preparing the patio that will be ready for the summer.

While much of Rob’s work through TCHC’s tenant engagement has been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, he continues to work hard on maintaining lines of communication with TCHC. He emphasizes the importance of improving communication and building greater respect for all tenants in TCHC communities. One of his goals is to share his experience at TCHC and to work toward challenging the social stigma associated with living in his community.

As an advocate for his neighbours, he is enthusiastic about continuing to work with TCHC, creating a new dynamic between the organization and tenants in his community. Rob believes that there still is work to be done to improve the situation for tenants. "I look forward to getting started now that we are hopefully approaching a different phase in the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Representing and connecting the community: Rob Bezanson

Rob Bezanson, wearing glasses and a black polo shirt is smiling at the camera.

Rob Bezanson has always been an active member of his community. Born in Nova Scotia, Rob has been a firefighter and a paramedic, and has practised law. Now, he is a TCHC Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative for his building.

As a new tenant to TCHC in 2012, Rob was motivated to investigate how he could contribute to his community. In seeking opportunities to help, various barriers to communicate presented a challenge. As he worked through these barriers over the years, the building tenant representative invited him to a Tenant Representatives meeting.

“It’s about bringing people together to resolve challenges and get on the same page.”
Rob Bezanson, Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative

After attending a couple of their meetings, he asked the Community Services Coordinator (CSC) if he could organize a tenant meeting in his building. This led to the development and creation of the building’s Health and Safety Committee that is still in effect. During the meeting, it was decided that the group needed another “team leader”. Rob was unanimously voted in as a Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative.

Rob has long recognized that there are two sides to every problem and that there is always a way to make a solution work. “When you build a solid community, your problems become easier to correct,” says Rob. “It’s about bringing people together to resolve challenges and get on the same page.”

One of the first things Rob did as Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative was to invite the Community Safety Unit, followed by Toronto Police Service and Toronto Fire Services, to meet and engage with tenants in his building. The sessions were well received, and tenants have shared that they appreciate the opportunity to ask questions and build connections.

"When you build a solid community, your problems become easier to correct."
Rob Bezanson, Building Committee Co-Chair and Community Representative

Since Rob became a Community Representative, he has worked tirelessly on new initiatives for his building. This includes the repainting of the building’s recreation room for re-opening, starting a food bank, running a book club, creating a kid’s area, and preparing the patio that will be ready for the summer.

While much of Rob’s work through TCHC’s tenant engagement has been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, he continues to work hard on maintaining lines of communication with TCHC. He emphasizes the importance of improving communication and building greater respect for all tenants in TCHC communities. One of his goals is to share his experience at TCHC and to work toward challenging the social stigma associated with living in his community.

As an advocate for his neighbours, he is enthusiastic about continuing to work with TCHC, creating a new dynamic between the organization and tenants in his community. Rob believes that there still is work to be done to improve the situation for tenants. "I look forward to getting started now that we are hopefully approaching a different phase in the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Governance and management

TCHC acknowledges the strong leadership support of our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team. Our 2021 Financial Statements are presented in this section.

A group of people standing in front of a Tenant Service Hub.