Spring 2025

As the Canadian federal election approaches on April 28, 2025, Canadians are presented with an opportunity to influence policies that directly affect our communities in areas like housing. This election is a chance to demand systemic change that prioritizes people over profit-driven housing markets. We need real solutions – the future of our country depends on it. 

Each major political party has outlined its approach to housing affordability and development:  

• Liberal Party: Led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberals have emphasized housing affordability in their platform. They have proposed significant investments in affordable housing projects and aim to implement policies that make homeownership more accessible to all Canadians.  

• Conservative Party: Under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, the Conservatives focus on increasing housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging private sector involvement. Their platform includes measures to expedite building permits and support for first-time homebuyers.  

• New Democratic Party (NDP): Jagmeet Singh’s NDP prioritizes affordable housing through substantial federal funding for non-profit and co-operative housing initiatives. The NDP is advocating for policies aimed at reducing housing speculation and implementing rent subsidies to assist low-income individuals.  

• Green Party: Co-led by Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, the Greens platform has emphasized sustainable and energy-efficient housing solutions, including investments in green building technologies and support for community-led housing projects.  

 Housing affordability is an important issue in this election, and each party has laid out their own strategies to address the housing crisis. These policies will have a significant impact on people’s daily lives, and it’s important for voters to consider each platform carefully. Make your voices heard to ensure elected representatives prioritize the housing needs of all Canadians.  

PARC Housing Updates 

We know that permanent housing is the first step toward stability and well-being for people. That’s why we are expanding supportive housing options in Parkdale using the Housing First approach. Our goal is to create supportive homes for people who need them while ensuring that our developments contribute positively to Parkdale as a whole. We are pleased to provide some progress updates on our ongoing housing goals.  

1501 Queen Street West – Scaffolding Removal 

We’re excited to share that the scaffolding at 1501 Queen Street West has officially come down! This marks a major milestone in the capital improvement work at PARC’s supportive housing building which was purchased at the height of the pandemic in May 2020. 

Essential exterior repairs were needed to preserve the integrity of the building, and scaffolding was installed in 2023 as this phase of the project began. This was made possible thanks to the City of Toronto’s Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) program, which helps nonprofits like PARC secure and improve affordable and supportive housing for those who need it. We’re proud to be one of the first organizations approved for a project under MURA, and we’re grateful for the recognition of the importance of preserving deeply affordable housing in Parkdale. 

With the necessary repairs completed and the scaffolding down, 1501 Queen is one step closer to feeling like home for the people who live there.  

1499 Queen Street West: Updated Housing Proposal 

PARC’s vision for new supportive housing at 1499 Queen Street West has undergone important revisions based on feedback from City Planning. While the original plan proposed 97 units across 9 new stories, our architectural team has now modified the proposal. The revised plan now includes: 

• 70 new supportive housing units 

• Only 7 stories above the existing structure 

Guiding PARC Housing: The Property Committee 

To support the ongoing expansion and management of PARC’s housing portfolio, the PARC Board has established a Property Committee. This committee will play an essential role in guiding our housing initiatives, reviewing development proposals, and ensuring that our properties are well-maintained and responsive to community needs. Key responsibilities include: 

• Oversight of new developments, including reviewing financing strategies and ensuring projects move forward effectively 

• Annual reporting on tenant engagement, providing updates from the Housing Department on tenant meetings, concerns, and feedback 

• Monitoring property management, including State of Good Repair assessments and tracking turnover rates to ensure long-term sustainability 

Redevelopment of 28 & 30 Beaty Avenue 

PARC is also exploring redevelopment opportunities for 28 & 30 Beaty Avenue to improve housing conditions and expand the number of self-contained units available. This includes: 

• Converting existing rooms into self-contained units, improving privacy and long-term housing stability for tenants 

• Adding a staff office for supports available on-site 

• 12 new supportive housing units, increasing the overall housing stock and maintaining affordability 

• Securing funding through multiple channels to make this redevelopment possible 

Why “Housing First” for Parkdale

The Housing First approach benefits everyone—not just those housed. Studies show that when people have stable homes, they are healthier, rely less on emergency services, and contribute more to their communities. Supportive housing is part of the solution to reduce homelessness and encampments while creating a safer, stronger Parkdale. As we move forward with planning and funding applications, we will continue to engage with tenants and community members to ensure that these developments align with the needs of Parkdale residents. Housing development is a complex process, but PARC is committed to providing safe, affordable, and supportive housing in Parkdale. Through careful planning, community consultation, and sustainable funding strategies, we can help create long-term solutions that address the immediate needs of our community. 

Information and feedback

We engage with our community in many ways, if you would like to receive more information or send us email, we have the following options: 

You can subscribe to our monthly E-newsletter with news, events and updates from PARC at: https://parc.on.ca/our-community/parc-e-news  

Questions or comments, please email info@parc.on.ca – this inbox is monitored regularly.