TORONTO ― Ontario is protecting people who live in community housing, especially vulnerable seniors and children, by allowing housing providers to turn away tenants who have been evicted from community housing for serious crimes.
“Our government is sending a clear message that dangerous criminal activity is not welcome in community housing,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “People shouldn’t have to worry about their children’s safety when they’re playing right outside their front door.”
While community housing providers can evict tenants for serious crimes like drug trafficking, harming individuals or damaging property, some simply re-apply to live in the same building. Starting today, housing providers have the discretion to turn away prospective tenants who have been evicted from community housing for these illegal activities and who pose a threat to the community.
“I want to thank the provincial government for moving forward on this important change in legislation requested by the City of Toronto,” said John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto. “Through this new change, we are putting the safety of the vast majority of tenants in community housing first and sending a strong message to criminals who choose to threaten families and seniors in their homes.”
This is just one of many measures the Ontario government is taking to protect innocent families from violence related to drugs, guns and gang activity, while making sure that all Ontarians have a safe and affordable place to live.
