Although the City of Toronto 2024 budget takes bold steps toward supporting residents and advancing equity in key areas, there is much more work that needs to be done to build a city that is resilient, mentally healthy and equitable for all.
Housing
Ontario Budget 2024: Urgent need to address homelessness
Wellesley Institute’s submission in advance of the provincial budget Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity through action on the social determinants of health. We urge the government of Ontario to deliberately address and report upon many of the social determinants of health that are so costly in terms of […]
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Winter plan for people sheltering outdoors falls short
Cold weather can have a devastating impact on people who are homeless, leading to hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Adequate shelter spaces and a safe and dignified outdoor outreach strategy are critical to supporting people living outdoors. The City of Toronto’s 2023 Winter Services Plan outlined steps to support those who are sheltering outdoors this […]
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Federal budget 2024: COVID highlights need for health equity
Wellesley Institute’s Pre-Budget Written Submission Canada has significant inequities in the social determinants of health, including housing, income, education, discrimination and access to health and social care. We also continue to see these inequities played out through the ongoing disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and long COVID on Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities, low-income […]
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Removing language barriers for older adults in social housing: Turning research into action
In Canada, 31 per cent of older adults are immigrants, and up to 50 percent are not fluent in either official language. For those with limited English proficiency, language is frequently a barrier when seeking or accessing health and community support services. This includes housing supports, where a lack of translation and interpretation supports could […]
Toronto mayoral election series: Housing
Wellesley Institute is publishing a series examining how mayoral candidates can show leadership and deliver Toronto the Bold—a city that takes wellness, health and equity seriously to build a better future for every Torontonian, and that takes the lead on doing so. First, we examine housing, an issue we expect candidates will spend a great […]
Enhancing eviction prevention supports for older adults in social housing
Evictions are a key source of housing instability for low-income older renters. This community is particularly vulnerable to evictions due to a complex interplay of financial, social, and health factors that place housing at-risk. While research suggests social housing may offer some protection against evictions, older adults may still be at risk, particularly for non-payment […]
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2023 Ontario budget
In advance of last year’s provincial budget, we called for important, necessary public strategies to build a New Normal in Ontario. Our focus was around poverty, homelessness, race, healthcare, mental health and well-being, while leading the fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, we have not seen the progress we hoped to on those measures. […]
Toronto Housing Action Plan: Who will it be for?
Toronto has significant, and worsening, health inequities. Wellesley Institute research shows that social factors such as housing, income, education, and access to social supports, are vital for individual and community health as well as Canada’s economic growth. Eliminating inequities in the social determinants of health must be our priority. We can build a future in […]
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“Fighting to keep your home in a community”: Understanding evictions through service provider and community leader perspectives in North York communities
A previous Wellesley Institute study on formal eviction applications in Toronto found that areas with higher proportions of low-income households had 2.5 times higher eviction filing rates. Independent of this association, areas where more Black renters lived had rates that were two times higher. Building on previous work, this latest report explores how local service […]
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