Affordable Housing in Toronto: A Vision for the Future

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, continues to struggle with a housing affordability crisis that is affecting thousands of residents, especially those from marginalized and lower-income communities. While the city has long been a hub of opportunity, the soaring costs of housing are now pushing many Torontonians to the brink. For those struggling to secure stable, affordable housing, this issue is no longer just about the high cost of rent or the price of buying a home, it’s about the future of communities and the very fabric of social equity.

As a former Community Development Worker for the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and a past member of Housing Action Now (HAN), I have seen firsthand the impact of this crisis. During my time with HAN, we played an instrumental role in halting the sale of standalone homes within Toronto’s public housing stock—an issue that directly threatened the homes of hundreds of low-income families. This victory was not just a policy win but a reminder of the power of community action and the critical importance of affordable housing for all.

The Current Situation: A Cooling Market, but a Continuing Crisis

The affordable housing situation in Toronto has shifted in recent years, with a cooling market offering some temporary relief but little solution to the larger affordability crisis. While homeownership remains out of reach for many, condominium sales have cooled, largely due to higher interest rates and changes in immigration policy, which have tempered demand. As of 2026, the average price of a detached home in Toronto still exceeds $1 million, and while condominium prices have seen slower growth and reduced demand, they remain beyond the reach of most first-time buyers.

For renters, the situation is no better. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto hovers around $2,400 per month, and rental vacancy rates continue to remain under 1% in many areas of the city. Although the cooling condo market has had some effect on pricing, it hasn't significantly eased the pressure on the rental market, which remains tight and expensive. Furthermore, Toronto’s waiting list for affordable housing remains long, with over 90,000 people still waiting for subsidized housing as of 2026. The need for affordable, stable housing solutions in the city is more urgent than ever.

A Victory for Affordable Housing: Halting the Sale of Standalone Homes

During my time as a member of Housing Action Now and as a Community Development Worker for the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, I was part of a key victory in the fight for affordable housing in the city. We succeeded in halting the sale of standalone homes within Toronto’s public housing stock—a proposal that would have displaced hundreds of low-income families and further exacerbated the affordable housing crisis.

The sale of these homes was part of a larger privatization initiative within Toronto Community Housing (TCHC). These homes, many of which were in desperate need of repair, were critical to providing affordable housing for Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. Through sustained advocacy, public campaigns, and lobbying efforts, HAN and other community groups were able to bring attention to the dire consequences of selling off these homes. By framing affordable housing as a human right rather than a commodity, we were able to convince city officials to reconsider the proposed sales.

This victory was a significant step forward, but it is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The broader issue of maintaining and expanding Toronto’s stock of affordable housing remains an ongoing challenge. However, it shows that when communities come together to demand better, real change is possible.

Housing as a Determinant of Social Health

Affordable housing is not only an economic necessity, but also a cornerstone of public health. Stable housing has long been recognized as a fundamental determinant of social health, impacting everything from mental and physical well-being to educational outcomes.

Housing instability—whether due to unaffordable rents, frequent moves, or overcrowding—can have serious consequences on health. Studies show that individuals living in unstable housing conditions are more likely to experience chronic stress, anxiety, and physical health problems such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. For children, housing instability can lead to developmental delays, behavioral problems, and reduced academic performance.

When families are displaced from their homes or forced to live in substandard conditions, their ability to maintain stable jobs, build community connections, or access healthcare and education is severely hampered. This creates a cycle of poverty and poor health that is difficult to break. In this context, affordable housing isn’t just a “nice-to-have” element of social policy—it is essential to breaking these cycles and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to lead healthy, stable lives.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Toronto: A Path Forward

While the affordable housing crisis in Toronto is urgent, there is hope for a better future. The key lies in adopting a comprehensive, long-term approach to housing policy—one that focuses not only on building new affordable housing but also on maintaining existing affordable housing stock. Toronto can also look to international examples to guide its future housing strategy. Countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have long prioritized affordable housing, viewing it as a fundamental human right rather than a commodity.

Learning from the Scandinavian Model

In Scandinavian countries, housing is treated as a basic right, and the public sector plays a significant role in ensuring that affordable housing is available to all. For example, in Sweden, the government invests heavily in both new construction and the maintenance of existing affordable housing units. Public housing accounts for a significant portion of the market, and tenants are provided with secure, long-term leases at affordable rates. Mixed-income communities—where both subsidized and market-rate units exist side by side—are the norm, promoting social inclusion and reducing the stigma associated with living in lower-income neighborhoods.

Similarly, Denmark and Norway have strong public housing systems that prioritize long-term affordability and tenant protections. Rent control policies are in place to prevent exploitative rent hikes, and government-backed programs ensure that low-income individuals and families have access to affordable homes.

Toronto could benefit from adopting some of these principles. Here are several key strategies that could help address the city's housing crisis:

Key Strategies for Toronto's Housing Future

1. Public Investment in Housing: The federal and provincial governments need to significantly increase funding for both new affordable housing developments and repairs to the existing stock. Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) has an aging portfolio of properties that require billions of dollars in repairs. In 2023, the city launched a 10-year housing plan that aims to add 40,000 new affordable rental homes by 2030. However, more investment is needed to ensure that all existing units are brought up to standard.
2. Mixed-Income Communities: To avoid the concentration of poverty, Toronto should prioritize the development of mixed-income neighborhoods. By integrating affordable and market-rate housing in the same developments, Toronto can create more equitable communities that foster social integration and reduce inequality.
3. Rent Control and Tenant Protections: Toronto must adopt stronger rent control measures to prevent exorbitant rent increases. In Ontario, rent control currently applies to all units built before November 2018, but rent for newer units can increase without limitation. Expanding rent control to newer buildings, along with stronger tenant protections, would give renters more stability and security.
4. Expanding Housing for Families and Seniors: There is a particular need for more affordable housing tailored to families and seniors. Toronto’s housing supply has not kept pace with the needs of these groups, and there should be more targeted initiatives to ensure that affordable family-friendly and senior housing is available.
5. Leveraging Public Land for Housing: The city of Toronto owns a significant amount of land that could be used to build affordable housing. Utilizing public land for the construction of affordable units would provide a cost-effective solution to the city’s housing needs without displacing existing residents.
6. Cooperative Housing Models: Expanding cooperative housing models, where residents have a say in the management and governance of their homes, would empower communities and help create long-term stability. Cooperative housing has been proven to be an effective model for maintaining affordable housing and reducing the risk of displacement.

Conclusion: A More Equitable Toronto

While the challenges of affordable housing in Toronto are daunting, they are not insurmountable. With the right policies, increased public investment, and a commitment to building more equitable communities, Toronto can build a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

As a former member of Housing Action Now and a community advocate, I remain deeply committed to this cause. Our victory in halting the sale of standalone homes was just one chapter in the ongoing fight for affordable housing, but it showed that when communities unite, change is possible.

The time to act is now. Housing is not just about shelter—it’s about ensuring that every person, family, and child in Toronto has the foundation they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.