The aging rental towers in Toronto’s inner suburbs present big challenges and opportunities for health and social well-being. Housing has large impacts on health, whether its high rents that drive food bank use, or health risks from pests, unsafe conditions, and bad air quality.
The 170,000 units in Toronto’s inner suburbs are a huge asset in that they remain a form of relatively moderate-rent housing available for low and modest income earners. But they face big challenges with increasing disrepair and severe affordability problems.
This housing has become the main locale of poverty in the GTA and these neighbourhoods are increasingly stigmatized. Those most affected are in lower-income racialized groups that already face extended barriers within the social determinants of health. Addressing these issues in this housing is, therefore, important for health and social equity. This report looks at the main factors influencing the state of Toronto’s aging rental towers.