FAQs
Why can't we give feedback on how properties are purchased?
For all property acquisitions, the City follows Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) which provides that a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board. This is the process the City has followed for all its affordable, transitional, and supportive housing and other property acquisitions.
City staff (and members of Council) are expressly prohibited from communicating publicly about the status of property acquisitions discussed in a closed meeting of Council until after Council has voted on the property acquisition in open session.
Why are neighbours not consulted about locations for housing solutions?
Restricting where people can live is a violation of a municipality's human rights obligations. Read more about the precedence of the Human Rights Code here: In the zone: Housing, human rights and municipal planning | Ontario Human Rights Commission
What criteria must properties meet to be considered for housing solutions?
Properties acquired by the City for a transitional housing, supportive housing, shelter or other housing responses must meet some key criteria including being geographically dispersed, on or near transit routes, appropriately sized to support smaller-scale operation for ease of community integration. Once a property is found that meets these criteria the property is brought to City Council for consideration in closed session. Once the property is selected for acquisition it’s then voted on in open session.
Council has provided specific direction to continue moving emergency shelter and transitional/supportive housing across a broader geography to ensure that the concentration of housing services does not further concentrate and thereby stigmatize vulnerable populations.
Why is community often informed at a later date than the initial sale of property?
Addresses of properties purchased by the City are shared as property transactions close rather than at the initiation of the sale.
This process ensures and respect the confidentiality of the property owners. Information is shared as soon as the property is officially sold and the transaction closed to ensure transparency as the information becomes public.