As Toronto and cities across Canada work around the clock on the front lines with community partners to support residents during the COVID-19 crisis, it is equally important to plan for recovery. The recent, quick and extraordinary measures taken by all orders of government and stakeholders during the pandemic have shown that governments can and must work together quickly and effectively to tackle critical issues impacting the health and well-being of residents. These actions have also emphasized that now is the time to rethink and re-design our socio-economic and public health systems. Now is the time to press the “reset button” and work together to build a more resilient future where everyone is included – and no one is left behind.

In late March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Toronto, under the leadership
of Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, established a Housing Action Team. The Team is comprised of representatives from various sectors brought together to flag new and emerging issues, collectively identify solutions, and plan for longer term recovery. Specifically, the Housing Action Team is focussed on solutions as they relate to people (people experiencing homelessness, renters and operators/landlords) and the creation of a diverse set of affordable and market rental housing opportunities.

The policy actions and considerations for all governments presented in this Action Plan have been prepared with the invaluable input of the Housing Action Team. They include policy actions and considerations aimed at: 1) providing stability for cities and people; and 2) stimulating economic recovery and building resilience through protecting and increasing the supply of housing across the housing continuum.