Opening Doors for the Future
Celebrating 20 Years
Annual Report 2022
Opening doors for the future
In 2022, Toronto Community Housing celebrated 20 years building and creating homes and communities across the city. From day one, we understood our role in making positive change happen in our communities, it is a part of our DNA.
In our 2022 Annual Report, we are pleased to share a view into the communities we have built, the successes of individual tenants and the achievements that we celebrated this past year.
"At TCHC, we are responsible for a very large portfolio of public assets, but our work is and has always been about people."
Message from our Chair
In 2022, Toronto Community Housing faced changes and challenges, but we remained as committed as ever to tenant service and building communities where people are proud to live and work
As the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects waned, the Swansea Mews crisis challenged TCHC staff to respond rapidly, create innovative solutions and provide close care and support to the households affected by an unforeseen construction defect. The TCHC team initiated a strong and immediate response, ensuring that all households were safely relocated by the end of the year.
Together, TCHC and the Board oversaw the completion of two critically important Tenants First deliverables: the launch of the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC) and the transition of the Scattered Housing Portfolio to two community land trusts. The completion of these two projects was made possible by the hardworking TCHC team, the City of Toronto and beyond, and I extend my thanks and congratulations to them on a job well done.
Our Board welcomed three new directors in 2022, including Mohammed Haque, a resourceful promoter and defender of social justice and human rights, who will serve as the Board’s third Tenant Director. Councillors Lily Cheng and Vincent Crisanti were appointed to the Board in November 2022. We are grateful to two exiting board members, Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão and Councillor Frances Nunziata, both of whom have been longtime housing advocates in Toronto.
We celebrated the 20th anniversary of TCHC this year, an important milestone for an organization that influences communities all across this city. At TCHC, we are responsible for a very large portfolio of public assets, but our work is and has always been about people. TCHC’s employees are on the frontline of that work. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank all TCHC employees for another year of tireless effort. Every day you come to work, you are helping to make a difference for our tenants, and the Board is deeply appreciative of that. The next year holds new promise as TCHC continues its transformation and I am excited to see what the future holds.
Tim Murphy (he/him)
Chair, Board of Directors
Message from our President and CEO
In 2022 we celebrated TCHC’s 20th anniversary, ever mindful of our role providing homes and supports to those that need them the most. TCHC staff worked hard to meet the needs of tenants and deliver on a number of important projects. I am inspired by their care and compassion for the work that they do.
I am tremendously proud of the hard work and dedication that TCHC staff committed to the Tenants First plan, because the results speak for themselves. In 2022, TCHC completed two major Tenants First deliverables: the launch of the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation and the transfer of the Scattered Housing portfolio to Circle Community LandTrust and Neighbourhood Land Trust. As Canada’s largest housing provider, we are stewards of a very large public investment, but our work is and has always been about people, much more than about bricks and mortar. Our 20th anniversary celebrations brought to life a vivid history of the lives lived in our communities and the bright potential that awaits us in the next twenty years.
While we have been enjoying milestone achievements, TCHC has also had to pivot rapidly to manage unforeseen challenges. The Swansea Mews community demanded the organization’s full attention when their lives were turned upside down. The agility, compassion and drive that TCHC staff displayed in their response showed me just how far our staff will go to support tenants in need. There is more work to be done, but I am confident in our ability to move the Swansea Mews community forward.
Jag Sharma (left) joins a Mabelle community event.
Jag Sharma (left) joins a Mabelle community event.
TCHC is continuing in its journey to address the role of race in public housing and the impact that systemic anti-Black racism has on our tenants and staff. The Centre for the Advancement of the Interests of Black People has continued to grow, establishing itself as a foundational element of TCHC’s commitment to our Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) strategy. The CABR strategy captures the changes needed to systematically address anti-Black racism across TCHC, both as an employer and as a social housing provider, and measure success in making that change. This work requires constant focus and a regular renewal of our plan to make sure that we are on track to make real change.
Transformation is not limited to the social fabric of TCHC. The organization has been engaged in a successful program of climate retrofitting across the portfolio. Our current plan is to meet the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) target of a 25 per cent reduction in energy consumption from 2018 to 2028. In 2022, TCHC had a downward trend in both electricity and gas consumption, which shows us that we are effective in our plans. We will not stop at 25 per cent, though, because TCHC is committed to supporting the City of Toronto's TransformTO Net Zero strategy.
As you can see, the momentum is on our side. All across the organization people are pushing us towards an exciting new future where TCHC is a transformed organization, equipped with modern technology, a refocused portfolio and a new strategy. We will continue building employee pride, tenant confidence and the trust of our partners and City shareholder. We will continue delivering positive outcomes for the people who call TCHC home.
Jag Sharma (he/him)
President and Chief Executive Officer
"All across the organization people are pushing us towards an exciting new future where TCHC is a transformed organization."
Tenants First progress
We took part in a significant Tenants First announcement alongside Minister Ahmed Hussen.
The transition of 760 units to the non-profit sector will protect them as social housing in perpetuity, helping to keep Toronto affordable. It will also allow us to continue focusing on our vision of vibrant communities where people are proud to live and work.
Building the future
In 2022, TCHC continued on our core mission to provide clean, safe, well-maintained and affordable homes for our tenants. Through our continued collaboration and engagement with tenants, we are building our collective future and fostering the creation of communities where people can live and thrive. Learn more about TCHC’s revitalization projects, capital projects and accessibility program.
Leading the way
Supporting youth wellbeing in Rivertowne
Suzette Saunders has been a tenant leader in Rivertowne for over 15 years, moving in just after the revitalization of the community was completed. In this time, Suzette has been a fixture in the community, organizing events, providing programs and care for youth and children, and advocating for the needs of her fellow tenants and neighbours.
Tenant-focused service and engagement
In 2022, TCHC continued to deliver on a number of dedicated tenant initiatives to improve the delivery of customized services and responses across our communities. TCHC’s tenant engagement system continued to establish tenant leadership and specific action plans through our first post-pandemic regional events. The Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation was established through a successful transition mid-year, creating a new corporation that will deliver services customized to seniors, supporting them to age-in-place. TCHC continued to roll out additional tenant service hubs in 2022, bringing services closer to all our communities.
Kingston Galloway Court
Partnering with the community
The construction of an iconic new basketball court in our Kingston Galloway community in Scarborough was made possible through a special collaboration between TCHC tenants and staff, Toronto artist Jerry Rugg (also known as birdO) and StreetArt Toronto. A shout out also to all those who helped create the incredible wall murals surrounding the court, as well as Airbazoo for this amazing video.
Programs and partnerships
Through collaboration with our community partners, and a dedicated staff team, Toronto Community Housing provides tenants with a breadth of diverse programming through a range of recreation, work placement, scholarship and social programs. Key partnerships in 2022 were integral in helping to serve the diverse needs of our communities.
Fostering the arts in Regent Park
How Tony Le introduced Kick Start Arts to his community
The free program empowers youth and adults to express themselves through the creative process in film, digital television, theatre and photography.
Community impact
We recognize the importance of bringing positive change into our communities and the lives of our tenants. Through a range of initiatives, partnerships and services, we made progress in creating more future-ready, innovative and safe communities.
Leadership in accessibility
Cathy Birch, Chair of our tenant-led Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing (R-PATH) committee, received the 2022 David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.
Read more about R-PATH's accomplishments in 2022 and their work to improve accessibility in all TCHC spaces.
Confronting anti-Black racism
The Centre for Advancing the Interests of Black People laid the foundation and took corrective action toward addressing the historical and ongoing harms of anti-Black racism. 2022 was an important year that delivered significant impact through both staff and tenant engagement.
Investing in youth through sport
We continued to deliver high-quality sports programs including soccer, baseball and basketball.
Learn more about these programs and our partnership with MLSE Foundation by watching the video.
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% 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% 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.
Total number of tenants:
Average tenant age:
YEARS
- Age
- Children (0-12): 13,225
- Youth (13-24): 19,037
- Adult (25-58): 38,156
- Senior (59+): 18,592
- Sex
- Man/Trans Man: 39,181
- Woman/Trans Woman: 49,830
Total Households:
Average RGI Hshld
Annual Income:
Average tenancy length
(current unit):
YEARS
- Household Finances
- Market households: 5,709
- RGI households: 35,304
- Household Composition
- Single-person households: 19,111
- Multigenerational households:* 18,364
- Couple/Roommate households: 3,538
Total Units:
Total Buildings:
TSHC Units:
Scattered units sold:
Scattered units pending sale:
*Multigenerational households include parent/child relationships
Record-breaking $90K raised for United Way
Thank you to all donors on behalf of team TCHC!
Our staff as well as labour partners CUPE Local 416, CUPE Local 79, OPSEU Local 529 and the Carpenters union Local 27 made generous contributions to our campaign along with other corporate donors who provided items for our very popular silent auction.
TCHC staff celebrate the $90,000 milestone
TCHC staff celebrate the $90,000 milestone
Employee engagement activities
Toronto Community Housing employees were excited to re-engage at in-person events after the lifting of pandemic restrictions in Spring 2022.
Our Black Staff Caucus hosted a movie-screening event for United Way.
Our Black Staff Caucus hosted a movie-screening event for United Way.
Led by our employee Pride Network, TCHC returned to the in-person Toronto Pride Parade.
Led by our employee Pride Network, TCHC returned to the in-person Toronto Pride Parade.
TCHC employees gather for the 2022 United Way BBQ.
TCHC employees gather for the 2022 United Way BBQ.
Employees gathered at the Bathurst Glen Golf Course for the United Way golf tournament.
Employees gathered at the Bathurst Glen Golf Course for the United Way golf tournament.
Members and allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community showed their colours year-round in our workspaces and our communities.
Members and allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community showed their colours year-round in our workspaces and our communities.
Team TCHC participated in the annual Civic Run fundraiser in support of the United Way.
Team TCHC participated in the annual Civic Run fundraiser in support of the United Way.
Thanking our donors and partners
We are grateful to the generous organizations who provided donations within our communities. In 2022, these donations made a difference in our communities and brought joy to many children, families and individuals.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary
Two decades as Canada’s largest social housing provider.
We sat down with Minister Ahmed Hussen who shared his story about growing up in Regent Park and how advocating for his community sparked a path towards successful legal and political careers. Watch his video and those of other past tenants on our 20th anniversary microsite here.
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