Affordable Housing
Working Group

The Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG) aims to increase affordability in OV to ensure that low-moderate income tenants are not displaced by rising rents and luxury developments. To achieve this, the AHWG is working on three outcomes:

1. Right to Remain policies that ensures tenants have the right to be provided with affordable housing in the neighbourhood while their former home is under redevelopment.

2. Identify properties where affordable housing can be built, partner with government and affordable housing developers to get affordable housing built

3. Set targets for the where, level, and amount of affordable housing (this includes advocating for these targets)

We started this work in June 2021 with our first public meeting. Since then the group has grown thanks to amazing volunteers from the community. We have conducted a number of actions such as a community walk to identify sites for potential affordable housing, advocated for inclusionary zoning for Little Jamaica, and conduct a survey to further explore the Right to Remain policy.

We work in the Oakwood Vaughan (OV) and Little Jamaica area. Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in this area is welcome to join (see the map below), or who have done so in the past. We also have a number of members who come from outside the neighbourhood and either have connections to the neighbourhood (were displaced, have family there, etc.) or have general interest in providing support in this work from outside the neighborhood.

Volunteer support might include:

• providing feedback on outreach material

• reaching out to community members, to encourage their participation

• research on allies and methods of achieving the AHWG vision

• sharing thoughts on the City of Toronto, or development proposals, and helping to establish the AHWG's statement and approach to planning

• (list other volunteer activities)

• maintaining contact with us as you work on similar projects in other communities

If you are ever wondering if the AHWG is right for you get in touch and we can answer any of your questions!

If you would like to sign up fill out the form here. This will get your email added to our member contact list so that you are included in future AHWG emails about meetings, events and actions!