A commercial real estate developer, a rate‑payers group and the FCJ Refugee Centre have floated a plan to turn ten vacant houses on Glazebrook Avenue in north Toronto into temporary homes for low‑income families.
Plan details
Developer David Walsh, who previously won the Jane Jacobs Prize for social‑housing work, asked city councillors on Dec. 3 to let the houses be used as transitional homes run by a social‑housing agency. The agency would select families, collect rent and pass the payments to the developer.
The homes would receive minor repairs and cleanup, with the city’s assistance, before being handed over to the agency. After a set period, the houses would return to their owner for the proposed 34‑storey tower.
Key players and obstacles
The houses were bought in 2023 by Gairloch Developments, which has not yet secured a building permit and therefore cannot move forward with demolition. The city has denied a demolition permit until a building permit is obtained.
Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, whose ward includes the properties, called the idea “interesting” but expressed doubts about the city’s capacity to act as a broker and flagged possible liability and relocation issues.
Both the developer and the community group say the biggest hurdle is getting Gairloch to agree to the arrangement; the company has not responded to outreach.
Context of vacant properties in Toronto
City staff could not estimate how many homes sit empty while developers wait for approvals. A 2024 Canadian Home Builders Association study found Toronto developers wait an average of 25 months for project approval, the second‑longest timeline in Canada.
The FCJ Refugee Centre currently operates three houses for refugee families, offering stays of six months to a year. Its co‑executive director Tsering Lhamo said a two‑year window is “plenty of time” for families awaiting permanent housing.
Potential next steps
If Gairloch agrees, the city could fund minor renovations and the homes could become short‑term rentals for low‑income families. Conversely, without the owner’s cooperation, the houses may remain vacant until the tower project proceeds, leaving the community’s housing need unmet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed use for the ten vacant houses?
The plan is to perform minor repairs and then lease the homes to a social‑housing agency, which would provide temporary accommodation for low‑income families.
Why are the houses currently vacant?
Gairloch Developments bought the properties in 2023 with the intention of demolishing them for a 34‑storey tower, but the city denied a demolition permit because a building permit has not yet been secured.
What are the main challenges to implementing the plan?
The biggest obstacle is obtaining the property owner’s consent; the owner has not responded to outreach. Additional concerns include the city’s capacity to act as a broker, potential liability, and the logistics of returning the homes to the developer after use.
What do you think could be the most effective way for the city and developers to collaborate on such temporary‑housing initiatives?
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