The Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC) in Toronto has passed a motion calling for Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) to collect and publicly share race-based data on evictions, arrears, and tenant relocations. This motion aims to address systemic inequities and provide evidence to improve tenant protections. The idea came after an Ombudsman report exposed weaknesses in tenant protections, and advocates stress that race-based data is essential for accountability.
A 2023 TCHC survey revealed that nearly 42% of its tenants are Black, the largest racial group in its communities. Advocates like Walied Khogali Ali, who introduced the motion, argue that without such data, the issue remains anecdotal, preventing effective solutions. The motion gained additional urgency after the story of Reem Saad and her mother, who were evicted from a Scarborough TCHC unit, was shared. Their eviction left them without stable housing, demonstrating the devastating effects of these actions.
A 2020 study by the Wellesley Institute found that Black renters in Toronto are disproportionately impacted by evictions, with eviction filings more common in neighborhoods with higher Black populations. Advocates argue that evictions contribute to long-term health risks for tenants, with homelessness linked to significantly reduced life expectancy. The motion’s goal is to collect data that will inform better housing policies, train TCHC staff more effectively, and provide support to prevent further displacement. If approved, the data should be available in January.
Read the full story with video on CBC: