This is a "heads up" type of post. Two TCH townhouse complexes have been identified for revitalization under the TCH's Investing in Building programme: Leslie Nymark and Allenbury Gardens. How imminent are the changes? We do not know.
But Ward 33 residents should be vigilant about the nature of any changes. The Leslie Nymark complex represents how not to do sustainable and community integrated public housing. The Allenbury Gardens represent what happens when maintenance and operating care is not adequate.
Click here for a map of Toronto Community Housing locations in Willowdale Don Valley We see a band north of Sheppard as well as on Finch from Leslie to Vic Park.
The rumour mill has started. The city and its housing agency must keep all residents informed and involved in planning for change.
When and where will the tours of other revitalization communities happen? How long will the process take once residents are moved temporarily to other communities? How many square feet will the new units be? Will there be 2 bedroom townhouses? Will there be one bedroom units available to residents who want to downsize within the rebuilding time frame? Are all current leaseholders, not just the primary leaseholder, guaranteed a unit to move back to?
ReplyDeleteFYI, the revitalization plan was finalized yesterday.
Deletehttp://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ny/bgrd/backgroundfile-56050.pdf
The people of Allenbury Gardens are giving up a house with a basement and a backyard? The 2 bedroom apartments will be 735 square feet with no balcony. The 3 bedroom apartments will be 950 square feet, with no balcony. Extremely tiny compared to what the residents have right now. What will the residents do with their furniture? Some residents paid money out of their own pocket for fences and gardens. I read the report and it doesn't say those residents will be compensated; infact, they are to be pushed out into a TCHC moving truck, and will have to pay for moving expenses out of their own pocket if they choose a reputable moving company. Before the plan was even approved, $750,000.00 was earmarked for the Fairview Library, which began renovations last summer. This project is worth 50 million dollars. Fairview Mall, Fairview Library and the residential homeowners are all happy. As for the low-income residents who will be kicked out of their home and area, nobody cares how they feel because to have a voice in this country you need to have money. This deal does state a time limit on rent geared to income apartments. After 25 years, social housing can turn the apartments into market rent units.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting an update! 1034 family homes and only 742 residential parking spaces. How much will a parking space cost? Elementary and Catholic Schools in the area say they cannot accept anymore children, so residents will need to bus their kids somewhere else, if they don't have their own vehicle. It's a 10 minute walk to the Station. Didn't Allenbury residents have an outdoor pool? The plan is to put a splash park on the grounds now, which is nice if your kids are little. What's to become of the trees in the area? The housing building looks very tiny compared to the condos. Sad, the residents will lose over 7 acres of land and have no balcony. They should of asked for the same size units as what they have now. I guess if they give up their washer and dryer now, and then later they have to buy a new set when they move into their little apartment, it would be considered a huge loss to someone who has low income. I thought I heard residents would have job opportunities from revitalization? The report says there will be a small store. I guess there will be 1034 families applying for a job as a store keeper. Have a nice day!
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