Considering Tenants First: Social Housing Asset Transfers in the Toronto Context

 In 2022, the City of Toronto will be transferring a considerable portfolio of small-scale social housing units to non-profit organizations, in an effort to redefine the Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s portfolio to a more manageable size and reduce costs for the City. Social housing asset transfers are often seen as a policy solution for governments struggling to maintain, finance and operate their public housing stock. While the Tenants First project in Toronto may have positive outcomes for tenants, the implications of this project have yet to be fully determined. This report considers similar programs in other jurisdictions, along with a broader review of social housing policy in Canada, to make recommendations for evaluating and strengthening the Tenants First project.