Housing
Community Priority
We heard the community state that these were the priorities
- Mitigate changes in the built environment related to new housing developments
- Awareness of upcoming and on-going housing-related changes in the neighbourhood
- Affordable housing and rent
- Address neighbourhood gentrification, evictions, renovictions, and displacement
- Maintain livable, quality housing conditions
- Legal protections to shield residents from indiscriminate hikes in rent
- Policies to support and protect the vulnerable and low-income residents, including healthcare and infrastructural supports.
- Access to Toronto’s downtown core and to other parts of the city
Climate Actions
This is what the researchers believe are the associated climate actions
Housing policies and initiatives that foster green and energy efficient building practice such as retrofits or on-site renewable energy can lower housing maintenance and operation costs.
Policy measures that encourage or require owners to decarbonize buildings while keeping existing residents may reduce displacement. In situations of neighbourhood wide investment and development, actions should be pursued that can offset gentrification pressure.
Jobs and Employment
Community Priority
We heard the community state that these were the priorities
- Initiatives to help residents cushion the impacts of job losses, precarious employment and/or stagnating salaries.
- Community centres in which residents can access training, skill development, and capacity building to enable them to get high-paying jobs, as well as training on entrepreneurship, savings/investment, and financial literacy.
Climate Actions
This is what the researchers believe are the associated climate actions
Investments in climate action can generate local job opportunities. For example, incorporating job training and local hiring targets into retrofitting programs. These can also target decarbonization in other sectors such as healthcare, that are not traditionally considered “green jobs” but have significant emissions-reduction potential.
Facilities, Amenities and Supports (Community Services)
Community Priority
We heard the community state that these were the priorities
- Proximity to key public amenities and facilities such as libraries, malls, and bus/train stations.
- Investments in the accessibility of community service supports, such as health care supports and facilities.
Climate Actions
This is what the researchers believe are the associated climate actions
Dense, mixed-used, transit-oriented communities are a form of climate action where residents have access to community services locally. A just transition would include displacement prevention measures and the expansion of local community supports aimed at existing residents so that current residents benefit from the new mixed-use, transit-oriented community.
Green and Recreational Spaces
Community Priority
We heard the community state that these were the priorities
- Presence of green spaces such as parks.
- Availability of reacreational and social spaces where people can connect.
Climate Actions
This is what the researchers believe are the associated climate actions
Green space expansion or protection in cities can decrease greenhouse gas emissions and support climate adaptation by storing carbon, regulating temperatures, and managing water flow.
Community Spirit
Community Priority
We heard the community state that these were the priorities
- Sense of affinity and rootedness with the community.
- A community-friendly and multi-cultural neighbourhood.
Climate Actions
This is what the researchers believe are the associated climate actions
Community-engaged climate action programs, workshops and events such as collective tree planting, bring-your-family initiatives, and other family-friendly climate action mobilization events can strengthen community bonds and improve family ties, while boosting overall social cohesion and community connections.
