I want everyone who lives in Spadina-Fort York to be able to imagine a future here. Through affordable, accessible housing options we can ensure we all have a place to call home.
At City Council, we know that Toronto is in a housing crisis and we are working to address it with the necessary urgency. Despite the provincial government passing bills that have reduced city revenue, harm our environment, and make housing less affordable, we have taken important steps to add affordable living options. So far we have:
- Approved the creation of 65,000 new housing units, including 41,000 affordable rentals
- Created the Housing Action Plan, accelerating approvals for affordable housing
- Redefined affordability based on income, not on market value
We also know that Spadina-Fort York is home to amazing housing advocates. There is so much more work to do and we can do it together. Sign up to stay in touch with my office on this critical issue.
Investing in RentSafe
RentSafe ensures City bylaws are enforced, tenants are engaged, and apartment buildings are well-maintained. This year, we increased inspections and enforcement, strengthened collaboration with community partners, and worked to ensure tenants know their rights, and how to protect them.
Preventing Renovictions:
At Council we passed the Renovictions Bylaw to protect tenants from unlawful evictions under the claim of renovations, a practice I hear of too frequently. Coming into effect on July 31, 2025, it will require landlords to obtain a conditional licence. Tenants will be informed, compensated, supported through renovations, and given the right to return. Learn more at ausmamalik.ca/renovictionsbylaw.
Regulating Short-Term Rentals
One out of every 100 units in Spadina-Fort York operates as a short-term rental. I contributed to a motion at Council that examined options for enforcement and regulation. This is a win for a fair short-term rental system that ensures everyone plays by the same rules and that preserves affordable housing for Ward 10 residents now and in the future.
Advancing and building affordable housing
I’m working with my colleagues on Council to pull every lever we can to invest in, encourage development of, and build affordable housing across the City, and in our downtown communities. Our HousingTO Action Plan aims to create 65,000 new rent-controlled homes in Toronto. To meet these targets, we’ve been busy!
- We launched the Rental Housing Supply Program and allocated capital funding to 18 affordable housing projects
- We approved incentives to expedite the construction of 7,000 new rental homes, including 1,400 affordable units.
- We created a new office to oversee City-built housing projects.
We need the federal and provincial governments to keep supporting us—by funding housing projects and giving us more tools. Two years ago, City Council asked the province to allow inclusionary zoning, requiring developers to include affordable units in new builds. They haven't responded yet—sign the petition!
