Toronto is in a housing crisis. Why are these city-owned historic row houses sitting empty?

Toronto is facing a severe housing crisis, with many residents struggling to find affordable homes. Despite this, several city-owned historic row houses on George Street remain unoccupied. These 19th-century homes have been vacant for years, leading to deterioration and missed opportunities for housing.

In the 1980s and 1990s, a developer acquired several properties on George Street with plans for redevelopment. However, the project stalled, leaving the houses abandoned. Over time, the buildings suffered damage from fires and neglect, earning the area the nickname "little Detroit" due to its dilapidated state.

Recognizing the potential of these heritage properties, the City of Toronto intervened in 2014 and 2015 by purchasing and expropriating several of the row houses. The goal was to incorporate them into the Seaton House complex and the George Street Revitalization project. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam emphasized the uniqueness of George Street, highlighting its proximity to Ryerson University and its potential as prime real estate.

Despite these efforts, the historic row houses remain empty. The reasons for the continued vacancy are complex, involving bureaucratic delays, funding challenges, and the intricacies of heritage preservation. While the city aims to balance development with maintaining Toronto's architectural history, the prolonged vacancy raises concerns about missed opportunities to address the housing shortage.

Toronto's housing crisis is exacerbated by a significant gap between housing supply and demand. The Greater Toronto Area requires 50,000 new homes annually to meet demand, yet only 40,000 are being built, leaving a shortfall of 10,000 homes per year. Additionally, applications for new housing developments dropped by more than 50% between 2021 and 2023, signaling worsening supply issues.

Addressing the issue of vacant city-owned properties like the George Street row houses could provide much-needed relief. Streamlining approval processes, allocating necessary funding, and prioritizing the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings are essential steps. By taking decisive action, Toronto can move closer to alleviating its housing crisis while preserving its rich architectural heritage.