Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.
According to the latest census data several changes have taken place in Toronto’s housing market which have had consequences for population health. More people are renting their homes than ever before, women and older adults continue to live in unhealthy rental housing, and fewer homes are available at rents affordable to low-income households. Additionally, many […]
Continue ReadingErosion of Affordable Rental Housing in Toronto: Findings from the 2021 Census
This report focuses on older adult tenants with limited English proficiency who live in Toronto’s social housing. Many expressed challenges understanding tenant-related documents and announcements as they were often communicated in English. This made it difficult for tenants to engage with housing staff and participate in their community. For older tenants with limited English proficiency […]
Continue Reading“Can you send someone who speaks my language?” Language barriers among older adults living in Toronto’s social housing Download PublicationLanguage Barriers Report
This paper examines long-term population-level housing affordability challenges and trends in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) from 1991 to 2016. This project’s goal is to analyze how housing affordability has changed for the general population and for different socio-demographic groups over this 25-year study period. Affordability is measured using shelter cost to income ratio […]
Continue ReadingWidening inequities: Long-term housing affordability in the Toronto CMA Download PublicationWidening inequities Long-term housing affordability
The pandemic and the associated recession provide an opportunity for us to reconsider the ‘normal’ state of affairs. Now is the time to envision a bold new normal and learn from the failures of the previous status quo. The old normal In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated number of Canadians […]
Continue ReadingA new normal for ending homelessness: Collective action towards adequate support
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto had been facing a crisis in housing affordability. Furthermore, during the pandemic many renters have lost their employment. Following the lifting of the provincial moratorium, this has put many at risk of arrears debt, and evictions. Rent increases can exacerbate affordability and arrears challenges, and so understanding them is […]
Continue ReadingHiking the rent when doing repairs: Above Guideline Increases in Toronto Download PublicationBrief 3 – AGIs
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgency to understand and address residential evictions. In Ontario, eviction hearings have resumed digitally and at a fast pace. Many renters have been unable to pay their rent in full, which has increased the possibility of mass arrears (accumulation of rent owed), and related evictions. Evictions have the potential […]
Continue ReadingWhere eviction applications are filed: Ward distribution of eviction applications in Toronto Download PublicationBrief 1 – Ward Distribution of Evictions
Wellesley Institute was awarded funding by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Solution Lab Program to work collaboratively with building owners, tenants and stakeholders to improve healthy housing quality in the private rental problem. Beginning in 2019, Wellesley worked with SHS Consulting ,experts in housing development policy and research, to understand the current state of apartment […]
Continue ReadingHealthy Affordable Housing : Solutions to the Private Rental Problem
Many factors contribute to keeping Canadians healthy. Just as crucial as access to healthcare, social supports and good working conditions, is housing. Currently, we are facing a housing crisis due to lack of affordability, disrepair, crowding, short supply, and the list goes on. If Canada is going to solve the housing problem, we need to […]
The evidence in Toronto is clear: overcrowded housing is associated with increased COVID-19 infection rate. When people have insufficient space to socially distance or self-isolate if they are sick, it makes people more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. In the City of Toronto, overcrowded housing conditions have left 12 per cent of private households more vulnerable […]
Continue ReadingCrowded housing and COVID-19: Impacts and solutions
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.
