We've seen similar dynamics here in Toronto for a couple decades where former multi-residential buildings get converted into single family housing. As-of-right. It's only in the past few years with the EHON reforms that the arrow can now go both directions.

We love to see it.

And we would also like the city to hear from you!

today, like every day, is a good day to challenge the absurd leaps of logic underpinning the "we don't need more homes, actually" argument

A Committee of Adjustment success story! (Also a story of persistence from @pamelablais.bsky.social)

To Colleen's point I went back to the oldest Housing Now progress report I could find from May 2020. Green are currently under construction, yellow have planning approval but construction not started, red are no progress at all. Note the estimated construction start dates. Also still 0 units built.

“I want there to be more places for people to live,” [More Neighbours volunteer Hoffman] said. “We need more housing in the middle of the city.” www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-p...

The City of Toronto approved six-storey units on major roads. But bureaucracy is still killing these projects. I was so mad about this article, I had to rant about it. I can't believe councillors are still fighting for "neighbourhood character" in 2026. www.thestar.com/news...

So say we all

Some news! Mayor Chow is calling for a review of the Committee of Adjustment process, looking at ways to streamline things. "Some recent CoA hearings and decisions have raised questions from stakeholders on how the CoA applies Council-approved policies," she says. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Timestamp link: www.youtube.com/live/shr_3Ok...

It'll be a day at Planning and Housing Committee today. More Neighbours wrote in support here, as well as the affordable housing site at 150 Queens Wharf Road.

The HAF got cities to change but making it stick requires the feds to follow through. "Of the 182 communities that signed deals in 2023 to be part of the program, 36 had kept less than 50 per cent of the promises they made in their individual agreements as of last spring, according to the tracker."

I am delighted to share Finch Store is officially covered under the new neighbourhood retail rules. I just got off the phone with the owner—they are hoping to hold a celebration to thank the public. We’re just coordinating a date. Stay tuned.

Thanks to everyone that came to Sunday's edition of "Making Room: a Citizen Developer's Guide" Some great discussions and ideas sparked by @realliamgill.bsky.social's journey developing a small apartment without prior development experience. Joined by @plannersean.bsky.social for the fireside chat.

A nice piece from Storeys about our Citizen Developer's Guide! storeys.com/missing-midd... And our newly resheduled launch event will now be 2pm, Sun, Feb 22. If you found the Guide helpful or have any questions for the author, come and join the discussion. luma.com/lr31bob3

Freezing rain has hit Toronto, and out of an abundance of caution we are going to reschedule. We will update on the new time shortly.

Congratulations Edmonton! An example to us all.

GREAT NEWS! @plannersean.bsky.social is joining our discussion this Wednesday evening. He has over 25 years of experience in planning, specializing in multiplexes and backyard units even before the CIty of Toronto legalized them. (He can answer a question or two about disc golf too...)

A fantastic tool to remind us that what seemed permanent and forever at one point in time was not always so.

We are launching the Citizen's Developer Guide with @realliamgill.bsky.social Learn how everyday homeowners can create more home across Toronto. We'll break down what's possible and how to get started. Feb 18 at 7:30pm at It's Ok* Studios. Part 2 of our Making Room series. luma.com/lr31bob3

Hey Edmonton urbanists! Thought I'd start a starter pack for us. Let me know if you want to be in it or have suggestions! go.bsky.app/E7u9toC

In Sept. 2023, Gov't of Ontario made this chart, showing the province's housing starts target, and the private sector forecasts at the time. Sept. '23 forecast was 86K for each of 2025 and 2026. In reality, Ontario hit 65K last year; CMHC forecasts a further drop in 2026.

Pasternak stated that his motion was to allow time for more consultation. Worth considering that more consultation often has other consequences, not always unintended ones.

Opponents of infill said the quiet part loud today. They don't believe renters should be allowed to live within their neighbourhoods, only on the fringes, by major roads. Their primary, unifying, rallying concern is "homeowner value" and getting what's their's.

3 more opportunities this week to voice your support for Major Transit Station Area implementation: Mon evening, Feb 9 @ Scarborough Civic Centre Wed evening, Feb 11 virtual @ us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... Thu evening, Feb 12 @ City Hall which MNTO will follow with a social! luma.com/ls0qz7jb

In this weekend’s @thestar.com column I look at how churches have a tradition creating needed housing in Canada & Cabbagetown’s objection to height at St Luke’s is wrong. It’s also voter-supported city policy to force all density into a few areas so you can’t have it both ways, yo.

The Eglinton LRT opens on Sunday. We asked how development has evolved along the corridor during construction - has transit-oriented development occurred, and where? - and mapped differences in building massing data from 2013 & 2025 to visualize changes https://ow.ly/b2kU50Yauxh

"Even as cities re-legalize the traditional housing forms that once supported economic mobility and urban vitality in America, extremely strict, sometimes ill-considered building codes and other requirements can quickly make them financially infeasible to build."

We often talk about affordability using rent-to-household income ratios. But this isn't the whole story. Across Canada, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, people are "doubling up" and living in overcrowded conditions in order to stay housed.

North York Open House is tonight, Feb 3, at North York Memorial Community Hall. Doors open at 6 and it runs until 7:30. Come out to support more housing options around transit.

Freeze your city’s buildings in amber, you might just find other things about your city changing. Affordability, youthfulness, culture, dynamism.

What an interesting model! There's been a lot of discussion about workforce housing in Toronto and Canada in general, but not every profession has the ubiquity, the labour organization, and the pension fund that teachers in Ontario do. Perhaps a different type of investment is in order.

Every year the Toronto budget presentation shows a figure with the value of a 1% property tax increase. They should include one saying that 12,000 new homes is equal to a 1% property tax increase.

The Board of More Neighbours Toronto is deeply grateful to @ericlombardi.ca as the Founder and former President of the organization. We look forward to him continuing to spread the pro-housing message in his future endeavours! A note on our leadership structure moving forward:

This comment on an Edmonton councillor's Instagram reel about zoning really says it all. "Thank you for the consultation with the people that matter."

"In economics terms, areas that refuse new housing are urban free riders." G&M editorial board launching a broadside.

I’m stepping down as President and Board Member of @moreneighboursto.bsky.social MNTO started as a small group of people frustrated with the status quo on housing. I’m grateful to everyone who showed up, spoke out, and helped move the conversation forward.

Downtown Open House is tonight, Jan 27, drop in between 6-7:30 pm at the Bickford Centre/West End Alternative School (777 Bloor St W). At the virtual townhall, staff stated that although the MTSA policy prevails over Secondary Plans for density, they plan to use Secondary Plan heights to restrict.

Considering how long Avenues policies have been with us, it's really remarkable how ineffective they've been at achieving midrise on the Avenues.

"The government was warned by the people it charged with studying the issue both what was needed to turn the province’s housing sector around and what the risks of inaction were. Four years later, and the government has largely chosen inaction, when it hasn’t opted for outright bad actions."

This month at the Planning Housing Committee, @cbailey6.bsky.social and I wrote in to support two Housing Now sites in York and the Beaches and @stoneape314.bsky.social gave a cheer for the end of the Scarborough Centre plan after 8 years.

Thanks to everyone who came, asked thoughtful questions, and stuck around for the convos afterwards. Couldn't have had a better or more inspiring kick-off speaker than @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social

At @moreneighboursto.bsky.social new speaking series, Making Room. First topic was Ending Homelessness, with @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social as a speaker. Lovely and packed.

Lovely chat, @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social facilitated by @moreneighboursto.bsky.social, tonight. Talking a wider view of homelessness than most of us will ever get. Advocates, like people experiencing homelessness, are filled with so many more stories, life, & kindness than some'd have you think...

A lot of solid (and familiar) recommendations in this new Senate report on housing! "Reduce fees, taxes and red tape to increase housing supply and improve affordability"

Meanwhile, back in the realm of Canadian civic state capacity, this is a great summary of a familiar problem that bedevils many of our cities on infrastructure, and not just Toronto.

Interested in more housing a short walk from the subway? Mid-rise apartments off of arterial roads? Wonder what's up with the low-rise areas around the Danforth? Consider attending a meeting to support the Major Transit Station Areas policy implementation. www.moreneighbours.ca/news/getting...