Tory renews call to change law, ban evicted criminals from reapplying for community housing

Thestar.com
October 1, 2018
Biance Bharti

Mayor John Tory renewed his call for the provincial government to amend legislation that would allow Toronto Community Housing to ban tenants who’ve been evicted for serious criminal activity.

“Currently, a tenant who is evicted for serious behavioural misconduct, such as drug dealing or domestic violence, is immediately able to apply for rehousing from Toronto Community Housing for affordable rental units or market units,” Tory wrote in an open letter Sunday, addressed to Housing Minister Steve Clark.

Mayor John Tory wrote an open letter to Housing Minister Steve Clark on Sunday. In it, he renewed calls to change laws so criminals with serious convictions would be banned from reapplying to Toronto Community Housing.

Public consultations held by a TCH task force discovered residents’ primary concern is their safety, Tory noted in the letter. “That is unacceptable.”

In April 2017, city council voted unanimously to ask Queen’s Park to change legislation so that TCH could ban a tenant from moving back into community housing if they committed a serious crime.

Council asked the Liberals to make amendments to the Housing Services Act, 2011, which would allow the ban of criminals with serious offences.

The provincial government denied the request, which “disappointed” Tory, he said in the letter.

With the Conservatives now in power, the mayor is renewing his request.

“I believe our two governments share a determination to ensure the safety of all our residents, especially seniors and families who live in TCHC,” he said.

“My goal in requesting amendments to existing legislation is to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable residents and to ensure that they are properly served in Toronto Community Housing.”

Despite the long waiting list, someone kicked out for drug dealing or violence could be considered “disadvantaged” and therefore move to the top of the list.

“We have the ability to send a strong message to criminals that they are not welcome in TCHC and we will not tolerate them threatening the peace and well-being of our communities.”

During the 2017 vote, some councillors worried about where the evicted criminals would go.

“What are we going to do to ensure we’re not pushing the problem elsewhere?” Councillor Janet Davis said last year.

Toronto Community Housing houses 110,000 residents in nearly 60,000 units.