Plan to redevelop Canada's oldest public housing community approved

Community Action, Feb 21, 2005

TORONTO -- Toronto City Council approved amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law that permits the redevelopment of Regent Park, Canada's oldest public housing project into a mixed-use, mixed-income neighbourhood.

The Toronto Community Housing Corporation will begin the first of six phases in the redevelopment of the 70-acre area which will be spread over 12 years.

In the first stage Phase 1 demolition will begin in the autumn of 2005. The residents will be relocated to comparable housing in other TCHC locations.

The total cost is estimated at $1 billion by TCHC in which the private sector and all three levels of government will participate. TCHC is looking to senior governments for just under $50 million for infrastructure and community facilities. TCHC will cover the $412-million cost of replacing all its 2,083 units of social housing and to contribute to a central energy system. Real estate developers are expected to invest $500-million in market oriented units.

The Regent Park Revitalization Plan has been worked out in consultation with the community services and the government for future generations.

The plan includes:

* residential, commercial, community and institutional space,

* market and social housing, including at least a minimum of 300 affordable ownership homes,

* the integration of rent-geared -to income and affordable market units within buildings,

* restoring the historic street pattern, thereby integrating the area with the city.

All relocated residents are guaranteed the right to return to rent-geared to income housing in Regent Park.

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