Category Archives: Announcement

UofT Affordable Housing Conference – May 11

Announcement, Community

University of Toronto’s School of Cities is hosting a FREE conference – Affordable Housing: Lessons for a new decade of housing policy in Toronto.

The City of Toronto is preparing a Housing Action Plan for the coming decade. As Toronto’s housing crisis deepens and the past decade’s housing plan draws to a close, what lessons need to be learned?
This action-oriented conference brings together prominent scholars, Councillors, planners, and activists to weigh in on and debate the initiatives Toronto could advance right now to protect and expand our endangered supply of affordable housing.

Register for this free conference click HERE; space is limited

Date: Saturday, May 11st, 2019
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: 1 King’s College Circle (MacLeod Auditorium, Medical Science Building)

Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Festival – May 11

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area (PVBIA) invites you to Spring into Parkdale Sidewalk Festival & Night Market!

Time to shake off those winter blues and visit Parkdale Village’s Queen Street West this spring for a weekend filled with sidewalk sale deals and free fun for the family.

Come out and meet shop owners, crafters, artists and community groups that make up our thriving neighbourhood!  Throughout the day enjoy some special attractions such as live performances by over 30 artists/musicians, free craft workshops, face painting (10,000sf Kids Zone),  4 Markets including Little Tibet market, surprise giveaways and over 150 local shops and vendors!

Date: Saturday, May 11st, 2019
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Night Market 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Place: All along Queen St. W. (Roncesvalles Ave. to Dufferin St.)

Parkdale Land Trust Saves At ­Risk Rooming House

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

On May 1st the The Neighbourhood Land Trust (the charity arm of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust) will purchase and save its first at ­risk rooming house to preserve and protect affordable housing for low income residents!

This project aims to stop the flow of tenants out of low­ end of market rental housing and into homelessness. This is the first licenced Rooming House in Toronto to be owned by a community land trust guaranteeing the units will continue to provide affordable housing for 99 years.

Home to 15 working class and low ­income tenants, this 15 unit South Parkdale property will be owned by The Neighbourhood Land Trust in perpetuity but will be operated and managed by PARC, (a United Way Anchor Agency) who now provides 71 units of affordable housing for adults who are low income and or experience mental health and addictions challenges in South Parkdale.

The project will ensure that existing tenants, many of whom are low­ income, will have continued affordable rental housing that is safe and secure. Any future new tenants will be prioritized for people who have experienced homelessness.

Expanding Permission for Laneway Suites in Toronto – May 1

Announcement, Community

In August 2018, as part of the Changing Lanes initiative, City Council approved Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to allow the construction of laneway suites in the Toronto and East York District. The City is now considering expanding these permissions to additional areas across the City.

Information on Laneway Suites, including previous City reports and the laneway suites Zoning By-law, are available HERE.

The Toronto City Planning Division is hosting a series of drop-in consultation meetings to discuss the proposed expansion of laneway suite permissions. At these meetings, City staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the expansion being considered. Please feel free to stop.

Date: Wednesday, May 1st, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: 55 John Street, Room 308/309 (Metro Hall)

Community Environment Day – Apr. 27

Announcement, Community

Do your part to create a cleaner, greener and more liveable Parkdale. Drop off reusable and recyclable items such as clothing, small appliances, non-perishable food items and electronics. You can also drop off household hazardous waste for safe disposal and pick up free compost for your pots and garden.

Click HERE for more details

Date: Saturday, April 27th, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Place: 1751 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (east of Ellis Ave.) Sir Casmir Gzowski Park
ALSO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SECONDHAND SUNDAY ON APRIL 28th – MORE DETAILS HERE

McCormick Recreation Centre Info Meeting – Apr. 29

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

The Mary McCormick Recreation Centre is a well used by Parkdale residents (indoor swimming pool, fitness/weight room, gym, craft room, dance studio and indoor hockey arena). The City is holding a public information meeting to discuss the upcoming repairs and improvements to the Rec Centre. Plans are to close the facility from September 2019 to Spring of 2020.

Parks, Forestry, and Recreation staff are hosting a public information meeting that will include:
•  Concept plans
•  Project time lines
•  Next steps
City staff will be available to answer questions about the project.

For more information contact Ed Hanna Ed.Hanna@toronto.ca or Councillor Ana Bailao Councillor_Bailao@toronto.ca

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Date: Monday, April 29th, 2019
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Place: 66 Sheridan Ave. (McCormick Rec Centre, Youth lounge)

Know Your Housing Rights – Apr. 11

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Human Rights and Housing in Parkdale. Learn the basics about rental housing law and how to stand up for your housing rights.

Join the Parkdale People’s Economy (PPE) and Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) for a workshop on housing rights.
Attendance is FREE, and snacks and Tibetan translation will be provided. Register HERE.

Topics will include:

• Advocating for disability-related accommodations in housing
• Eviction prevention strategies
• Addressing discrimination and harassment
• Ontario’s new Standard Lease
• Impacts of The Rental Fairness Act (2017)
• Impacts of housing unaffordability

Date: Thursday, April 11th, 2019
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: 1499 Queen St. W. (PARC)

 

Pia Bouman School MOVING

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

After 40 years serving the community of Parkdale, Pia Bouman School has recently faced an uncertain future as their current home at 6 Noble Street has been sold for re-development and PBS needed to relocate. In the end, the board’s Real Estate committee closely considered more than 20 properties and visited a short list of 10 to 12 possible contenders.

The school has taken leased possession of a new space at 225 Sterling Road. The 9500 sq ft space has 30 ft ceilings and will inspire dancers young and old to soar.

PBS, a registered charity, seeks your support to help cover the renovation costs to meet the dance schools needs and moving costs once our new space is realized.  The school will be fully operational in the Sterling Road space by Sept. 3 for the 2019/2020 season.

The Pia Bouman School has always been committed to ensuring its unique and defining mandate: “Every child who wishes to dance, to create and to perform has the opportunity to do so.”

There are many ways you can help PBS – volunteer your labour or services and/or make a donation HERE.

KEEP King Street Transit Pilot

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

King Street is the busiest surface route in the city, moving over 70,000 passengers per day before the pilot project. Taking transit on King street was unpredictable and stress inducing. It was often faster to walk than take the streetcar.

The King Street Pilot was introduced in November 2017 to address these issues by restricting through traffic and left turns at most intersections to prioritize transit vehicles between Bathurst and Jarvis St, the most congested part of the street.

Residents, commuters, and businesses along the corridor have called the King Street Pilot “transformational” and look forward to working with the City to improve it.

The future of the King Street Pilot will be decided by City Council in the next three weeks. Do want them to make it permanent and make it even better?

Show your support at weloveking.ca