Reviewing the Safety of Electrical Systems at Toronto Community Housing Corporation Properties - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

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The decision

2019-02-26 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on February 26, 2019, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to convene an informational meeting with the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to understand their current concerns regarding Toronto's aging apartment buildings and the specific factors that contributed to the recent electrical safety issues in St.

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James Town. 2. City Council request the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to: a. undertake a review of the state of repairs and maintenance needed of the major electrical services in its multi-residential, high-rise portfolio and forward the report to the Planning and Housing Committee by the second quarter of 2019; and b. specifically review the electrical and life safety systems of 200 Sherbourne Street, 241-247, 251, 257-259, and 263-285 Sherbourne Street and its properties in Moss Park for follow-up with the local Councillor to identify the specific projects where immediate investments can provide the greatest safety improvements.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Recent electrical safety incidents in St. James Town and elsewhere in the City have resulted in the loss of heat, water, and power to hundreds of residents. Many have been impacted for days and even months, with undue hardship imposed upon them by landlords failing to properly maintain their buildings' electric systems. Most recently, this has impacted tenants at 260 Wellesley Street East, with 564 apartments having their basic utilities suspended while essential repairs were made.

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This is not the first time this has happened, as over 1,500 residents were displaced from 650 Parliament Street in the summer of 2018 when an electrical failure and fire resulted in an evacuation of the building which remains unoccupied today. While private landlords must take on responsibility for their properties and tenants, so must the City of Toronto. A large portion of the multi-residential buildings built between 1951 and 1970 are Toronto Community Housing Corporation properties, operating to provide affordable and accessible rental units for residents in need. Toronto Community Housing Corporation properties are also frequently the subject of complaints, requests for repairs, and campaigns for enhanced service levels and capital improvements. We must ensure that the City is providing safe electrical systems in all Toronto Community Housing Corporation buildings.

Staff recommended

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council request the President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Community Housing Corporation to convene an informational meeting with the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to understand their current concerns regarding Toronto's aging apartment buildings and the specific factors that contributed to the recent electrical safety issues in St.

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