Spring 2022
You, your community and your city
photo credit: Roda Medhat, ArtWorksTO
A mother steps up! Meet the Lawrence Heights P6 tenant who’s helping her community heal
OCHE mandate P12 expansion
Be.Build.Brand. P16 winner Ritesha Thomas
Your Spring Tenant LOOP In this issue: R-PATH Reports: hub accessibility
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Tax exempt status
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Grand opening of The Centre
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Contest: conservation tips
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A toy for every child
P16
Your comment, our solution
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A mother’s love for her community
P6
Brook Restoration grads
P8
Tenant Engagement System
P10
Seniors Housing Transition
P11
Recruitment & opportunities
P11
OCHE mandate expansion
P12
Active Living & CED programs
P12
If you need help, we are here You can reach us any time through the Client Care Centre for any daily living supports you may need if you are self-isolating because of COVID-19.
Call 416-981-5500 or email help@torontohousing.ca to talk to a Client Care agent.
Tenant Notices Space heater safety
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Tenant Survey update
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Please review this section for important updates from TCHC
Check out our brand new Tenant Notices section (beginning on page 10) for important updates from TCHC.
R-PATH Reports: Your new Tenant Service Hubs are fully accessible!
Did you know that Toronto Community Housing is building Tenant Service Hubs all over Toronto? These are “one-stop-shop” locations where you can speak to TCHC staff about tenant and building services, community support and safety, work orders, annual review, rent issues, parking and much more.
▲ R-PATH present during Tenant Service Hub opening
R-PATH is proud to have worked with staff and management to create spaces that work for everyone. Accessibility features in each hub include:
Automatic door openers
Space for parking mobility devices inside the hub
Wider doors
Accessible washrooms
Accessible service counters
Accessible meeting rooms If you want to learn more about the Tenant Service Hubs, talk to TCHC staff in your community or visit torontohousing.ca/hubs. Toronto Community Housing |
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The courage to reconstruct Celebrating the opening of The Centre ▲ Kiaunna Bennett speaking at The Centre’s launch event
In Toronto, organizations are taking meaningful steps to develop action plans to dismantle anti-Black racism and remove the barriers that negatively affect Black residents and other marginalized communities. Since 2020, Toronto Community Housing has tasked an internal team with developing a strategy that will help the organization identify and confront anti-Black racism within our policies, procedures and practices. Following the Board’s approval of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Strategy in February 2021, we established a team to oversee the strategy’s implementation. After a year of consultations, strategy development and action planning, a major milestone was reached—the creation of The Centre for Advancing the Interest of Black People (The Centre) which was officially launched on December 2, 2021. The Centre’s official launch event celebrated the progress made over the past year and showcased presentations about the CABR Strategy’s eight-point plan. 4
Speakers included TCHC staff, tenants and stakeholders. “Attendees got to hear from people who are connected to TCHC and supported the development of the strategy,” said Evelyn Amponsah, Director, The Centre. “It’s an opportunity to hear more about the eight-point plan and the ways we plan to transform Toronto Community Housing and the city.” For Tenant-Staff Oversight and Advisory Board member Kiaunna Bennett, The Centre’s launch symbolized positive changes in building a community where tenants feel welcome and valued. “The Centre recognizes that housing security and secure infrastructure are pivotal to the advancement of Black people living in TCHC,” said Kiaunna at the launch event. “It’s important as a society we learn to reconstruct our attitudes associated with TCHC and de-stigmatize the living conditions that are associated with tenants.”
Reconstructing a new vision for The Centre
The theme for the event was “the courage to reconstruct” and focused on creating a more inclusive approach to better support Black tenants and staff. The Centre’s new logo, the reconstruction logo , was also unveiled at the event. It was the winning entry in a voting contest where tenants and staff voted between two logos. The reconstruction logo symbolizes a more inclusive outlook and the ability to learn from the past to create a better future. “The logo was designed in partnership with UNSGND (design agency), and was inspired from what we heard from tenants and staff,” said Evelyn. “The reconstruct logo asks us to think about our past, identify where we would like to go and do the work of learning from our past so we can get to where we want to go.”
Moving forward
Evelyn Amponsah, Director of The Centre
The Centre is a space to engage in conversations about race and anti-Black racism, drive innovative responses that confront anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and create positive outcomes for Black tenants and staff. “The vision of the Centre and the CABR Strategy is to make sure tenants and staff inform everything that we do as it relates to dismantling anti-Black racism,” said Evelyn. You can watch video highlights of the launch event by visiting torontohousing.ca/cabr. If you have any questions about the CABR strategy, are interested in becoming a member of the Tenant-Staff Oversight and Advisory Board, or want to connect with The Centre’s team, send an email to TheCentre@torontohousing.ca. The Centre’s launch event followed COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures issued by Toronto Public Health. Photo credit: Roda Medhat, ArtWorksTO.
The Centre will: • Lead the implementation of the CABR Strategy and its eight-point plan. • Work with other TCHC teams to help support the CABR Strategy over the next three years. • Guide changes to help end anti-Black racism in TCHC’s policies, procedures and operations. • Engage with the Tenant-Staff Oversight and Advisory Board to ensure accountability, transparency and implementation of the CABR Strategy. • Provide updates about the CABR Strategy’s implementation to the TCHC Board of Directors.
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A mother’s love for her community Denise Quammie has always been driven by the motivation to make change, to do better and to strive for improvements that make a difference in the lives of people in her Lawrence Heights community. As an active and impactful TCHC tenant representative, her story is one of leadership, empathy and action. The road hasn’t been an easy one for Denise. She is a parent with five children, recently obtained a college certificate in social work and is working on building a life and future for her family. Yet, with all of these priorities, for her, community still comes first. “When you have the heart of the community, you love people and you love to serve, you find the time,” she said. Denise has certainly found the time. Starting off as a community chef, she has sat on tenant boards, worked for TCHC as a youth coordinator (for the 37 Kids youth program) and has helped to run seniors and youth programs. Denise is committed to supporting violence reduction in her community, and as part of that commitment, she recently became the Lawrence Heights Inter-Organizational Network (LHION) Safety Committee Tenant 6
▲ Tenant Leader Denise Quammie (photo credit: Roda Medhat, ArtWorksTO) Co-Chair and Revitalization Ambassador. Denise knows the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood as a tight-knit community of good, honest people who care about one another, but many of these people are hurting. “One of the things that motivated me to be a tenant rep and to serve the community is seeing first-hand, as a tenant, some of the struggles within it,” she said.
“When you have the heart of the community, you love people and you love to serve, you find the time.” Having experienced gun violence and trauma in her community, Denise knew she had to do something to help others in a similar situation. She decided to get involved with TCHC’s Violence Reduction Program (VRP) which aims to make the community stronger by working together with tenants to help reduce violence through a range of programs and supports. This led her to team up with Community Services Coordinator, Luis Mejicano, to partner on several initiatives delivered through the VRP program in Lawrence Heights. This includes supports for parents impacted by gun violence in the VRP
communities of Jane and Finch, Falstaff and Lawrence Heights. She also leads a Safety Committee in her building. Most recently, she worked with Program Coordinator, Cheryl Cornejo, to bring the Mothers Wellness Program to life. The Mothers Wellness Program is aimed at helping the healing process for mothers affected by trauma due to gun violence. It’s a day of retreat featuring group yoga and meditation sessions, a therapeutic massage and lunch. Denise hopes it becomes an ongoing program, due to the intergenerational trauma present in the community. She attended one of the sessions and loved the positive impact it had. “I sat in the yoga room and I could tell how well-received and how happy most mothers in the room felt that day,” she recalled. “There was a sense of gratitude, a sense of honour. I saw mothers during the meditation and yoga session and they were crying, which means they were healing. We all held a lot of negative energy, and we were able to let go of it. I would advocate to continue programs like that.”
able to connect with the mothers following an incident of gun violence, gain their trust, and begin the healing process via programs like Mothers Wellness Day.” Denise is not slowing down. “Despite my own personal trauma, violence in Lawrence Heights has left me fearless, and wanting to do more,” she said. “There is so much trauma in the community, and mothers bear the brunt of the burden.” According to Denise, much more can and is being done to help tenants heal. For TCHC tenants currently affected by gun violence, Denise would like them to know that help is out there. “Don’t be afraid to speak out,” she said. “Community voice is what makes communities stronger.” A Lawrence Heights mother speaking from the heart.
Most recently, after a shooting that occurred on Christmas Eve, Denise invited Luis to speak at a community vigil. As co-chairs of the LHION Safety Committee, both shared words helping to eulogize the victim. They also offered a prayer.
Are you a mother who is currently experiencing trauma due to gun violence in the west end of the city? For more information on the Mothers Wellness Program, contact Cheryl Cornejo (VRP Coordinator) at 416-457-2895.
“We all held a lot of negative energy, and we were able to let go of it.” Luis is grateful for Denise’s involvement, and often relies on her ties within the community. “If there is a shooting, she’s always there,” he said. “With her help, we’re Toronto Community Housing |
Snapshots of Denise’s Lawrence Heights community (photo credit: Roda Medhat, ArtWorksTO)
Spring 2022
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Creating career opportunities in the trades
Graduates share their experience in the Brook Restoration Pre-Apprenticeship program Youth in TCHC communities can face barriers to stable employment, like a lack of affordable professional training or connections with people who can act as mentors to guide them along different career paths. As a way to create more opportunities for work in the trades and address employment barriers, Brook Restoration Ltd. has partnered with Toronto Community Housing to offer the Brook Restoration Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a paid 10-week program that gives youth, aged 18-29, valuable training and work experience in the construction industry. Many of the program participants may not know how to get the skills training and peer mentoring to enter industries they are interested in.The program provides participants with a chance to engage industry professionals, gain construction experience (ie. Chipping, bricklaying, drilling, mixing, scaffolding etc.) and to learn teamwork, communication and time management skills. Brook graduate Kelvin Vuu heard about the program through a good friend. He was hesitant to apply at first because he never pictured himself with a career in the trades. “My friend told me to 8
“My career goal is to reach the highest position I can, to expand my knowledge and really grow within the industry.” – Kelvin Vuu
just give it a shot, and it worked out better than I expected,” he said. Once Kelvin started the program, he was excited to learn practical skills and meet new people. Although some parts of the program were challenging, Kelvin is glad he decided to go for it and apply to the program. Other program graduates have also said that though the program requires hard work and dedication, it’s worth it for the connections they were able to form and the opportunity to develop communication and teamwork skills. Fellow grad Nyle Palmer heard about the program from a family member and saw it as a chance to try something new. He enjoyed the overall program experience and the opportunity to learn job-relevant skills while receiving career advice from others in the field. Both Kelvin and Nyle’s favourite part was being on the job site. This was the place where they could gain handson work experience while applying the knowledge they learned in the classroom. Although both graduates are still new
to the construction industry, they are working hard to hone their skills, build work experience and have high hopes for the future. When asked about the most rewarding part of the program, Brook Restoration COO Pauline Grist answered, “The smiles on their faces, I’ll never forget that, from the first graduating class. Many have not graduated mainstream school, and for many it was a struggle to adapt to the school-like setting. But they made it through and at the end they are so proud of themselves.” We would like to thank the Community Economic Development team at TCHC, who played an important part in the youth engagement and recruitment process, and everyone at Brook Restoration who make the pre-apprenticeship program possible. Nadia Gouveia, Director, Programs and Partnerships at TCHC, shares that, “Youth engagement is a critical aspect of TCHC’s programs and community development initiatives. Our Community Economic Development team builds important partnerships with organizations like Brook Restoration to support our youth with valuable learning about new career paths for their future. We are excited to see all the positive outcomes of the program so far and look forward to more success in the future.”
Left to right: TCHC staff members Gail Johnson, Samantha Murray, Brook graduate Kelvin Vuu, TCHC staff member Stacey Golding
The first Pre-Apprenticeship Program started in 2017 and was geared towards young adults looking for a pathway to a stable career. Applicants are not required to have previous work experience in construction, but must be committed to the training and on-site learning. Program participants leave the 10-week course with a set of highly desirable skills, an understanding of the building and restoration industry and connections to mentors. “Career opportunities and growth in Toronto—they are endless,” Pauline said. “Graduates from the program can go into the construction industry and work in concrete, carpentry, roofing, or health and safety.” Congratulations to Kelvin, Nyle and all other Brook Pre-Apprenticeship Program grads for all your hard work!
Brook Graduate Nyle Palmer
To learn more about careers in the construction industry, visit brookrestoration.ca/about-the-program or connect with your regional Community Economic Development team by emailing Economic.Opportunities@torontohousing.ca. Toronto Community Housing |
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Tenant Notices
Please review this section for important updates from TCHC
Tenants continue to contribute to the success of the Tenant Engagement System Thank you to our tenants who continue to engage with us and participate in the elections process across Toronto Community Housing communities despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
of the service in their buildings under the four service pillars: cleaning, maintenance, tenancy management, and community safety and support. The results of SQI surveys help TCHC better understand the different priorities of each community.
We are in the final phase of a three-phase election process. Since the elections started, 442 Community Representatives were elected and 1,423 Building/ Townhouse committee members have started meeting. Overall, 257 communities have tenant leadership that can effectively engage TCHC on key decisions that are important to their communities. At the hub level, 77 out of 88 hubs now have tenant leadership in place. We are almost there, but we need your continued support to make sure all leadership positions are filled and TCHC communities have full representation.
Phase 3 Tenant By-election
1,865 tenants participating in the TES
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Selecting your Community Representatives is important to achieving vibrant communities and bringing about positive tenant experience. As part of their role in the Tenant Engagement System (TES), Community Representatives fill out an annual Service Quality Indicator (SQI) survey to provide feedback on the quality
If your community is participating in phase 3 By-elections, please remember to vote in March. For more information or to learn more about the Tenant Engagement System, visit torontohousing.ca/tenantelections. 1,423 tenants signed up as committee members 257 communities have tenant leadership 442 tenants elected or acclaimed as Community Reps
Te No na tic nt es
Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation Update The transition to Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC) is now less than three months away.
For information on the TSHC, visit torontoseniorshousing.ca.
Our primary goal is to minimize disruption to tenants TCHC-wide. We will continue to keep all tenants updated as the June 1 transition date approaches. Thank you to all tenants who have gotten involved and provided feedback on this process. Senior tenants should visit the TSHC website or watch out for posters in their buildings to find out how they can get involved in the transition.
If you are a tenant in the current Seniors Housing Unit, Toronto Community Housing remains your landlord until the transition on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. If you have concerns or feedback about your unit or your tenancy prior to June 1, contact help@torontohousing.ca or call 416-981-5500.
Job opportunities at Toronto Community Housing
Are you looking for a job but aren’t sure where to start? We are always looking for enthusiastic new members to join the TCHC team on a part-time, seasonal casual basis. Here’s what’s coming up in the next few months:
We also have upcoming mentoring and skill-building opportunities available through our summer and fall internship programs. Applications for the summer program will open in May.
• YouthWorx: Youth Community Workers and Program Coordinators
Watch our social media channels or visit torontohousing.ca/careers over the next few months for new postings.
• Rookie League: Senior and Junior Program Leaders
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t n a es Board n Te otic approves N expanded OCHE mandate
The TCHC Board of Directors has approved a change in the mandate of the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE). Effective January 1, 2022, the OCHE team will review all pending evictions for arrears of TCHC tenants, not just evictions faced by seniors or tenants who are vulnerable. The review must take place before TCHC can serve an eviction notice.
Active Living & Community Economic Development (CED)
Are you interested in participating in recreational activities, job training or upcoming events? Be on the lookout for registration info on these upcoming programs and activities, offered virtually or within select communities.
Recreation program inquiries: activeliving@torontohousing.ca Home Run Scholars afterschool clubs inquiries: register online at jayscare.campbrainregistration.com 12
The change recognizes OCHE’s important role in preventing evictions for arrears and supporting positive outcomes for tenants. TCHC and OCHE have also worked together to develop a new process for arrears collection. The process focuses on early intervention, increased personal contact by staff and greater use of repayment agreements to help tenants stay housed.
Spring and summer programs • Home Run Scholars afterschool clubs (virtual) • Midnight Basketball • KickStart • Internships • Rookie League summer camp
For training or job positions this spring and summer, see our notice on page 11.
Space heater safety Space heaters are great • Place space heaters on for keeping us warm, a solid, flat surface. especially in the early spring when there’s still • Keep space heaters at least quite a chill in the air. They one metre (three feet) away can also be a fire hazard if from items that can burn. they are not used properly.
Te No na tic nt es
• Always plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power bar.
When using a space heater, keep these tips in mind to make sure you and your family stay fire safe.
• Never use a space heater with a damaged cord or plug.
Visit torontohousing.ca/firesafety for more fire safety tips.
Thank you for participating in the 2021 Tenant Survey! Your feedback. Our commitment. The survey was conducted between September and October of 2021, and an incredible 8,500 TCHC households across the city provided their feedback on what their priorities are, where TCHC is meeting their needs, and where there is still room for improvement.
for addressing your needs and concerns. Stay tuned for future communications about the survey results in your local Tenant Service Hub and on the TCHC website at torontohousing.ca/survey.
This is nearly three times the number of responses we have received in previous surveys! Thank you for your input and your active engagement in helping us to improve your tenant experience. The results are currently being compiled, and will be shared with staff and tenants later this year. We will also share our plans Toronto Community Housing |
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t n a es n Te otic N
Check your building’s tax exempt status It’s important!
Check your building’s tax status before you file your income tax — why is this important? Tenants living in tax exempt buildings can’t claim the property tax portion of the Ontario Trillium Benefit. All tenants are advised to check if their building is eligible for the property tax credit. Knowing the property tax status of your home is important information that could inform how you file your taxes.
How can I find out the property tax status of my building? Check the list of TCHC properties for your building’s property tax status by visiting torontohousing.ca/taxexempt.
If you have questions or need any help, please speak to your Tenant Services Coordinator.
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Contest: Your Earth Day conservation tips
Earth Day will be celebrated worldwide on Friday, April 22, 2022. It is an annual event to raise awareness and support for the protection of the environment. Any contribution we make towards conservation, even if it’s a small one, can have a lasting impact. What are some of your tips for conserving resources? Do you drink tap water instead of bottled water? Do you unplug appliances when not in use? Share your Earth Day conservation tips with us and your entry could be chosen at random to win a pharmacy gift card (Rexall or Shopper’s Drug Mart) valued at $50. The winning tip may also be featured in the next issue of Tenant LOOP. This contest is only open to tenants of Toronto Community Housing.
Contest entries can be sent via: • Email to TenantLOOP@torontohousing.ca • Direct message to our Facebook page at facebook.com/TorontoCommunityHousing • Mail to 931 Yonge St., 7th floor, Toronto, ON M4W 2H2 (Attn: Tenant LOOP) Please send your entries by Friday, May 6, 2022. Congratulations to Marilyn, the winner of our “Favourite winter comfort foods” contest from the Winter 2021 issue. Marilyn’s dish of choice for cold winter nights is a nice, warm bowl of homemade pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Marilyn has won a grocery gift card with a $50 value, perfect for buying fresh ingredients to use in her next culinary creation! Toronto Community Housing |
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A toy for every child Ritesha Thomas, an entrepreneur in the sixth edition of TCHC’s Be.Build.Brand. (B3) program, successfully competed to win the final pitch contest that took place this past December. The bi-annual contest is the finale of a 10-week entrepreneurship program offered to TCHC tenants between the ages of 18 and 29. The evening featured Pitch Prizes sponsored by Scotiabank. During this particular Pitch Night, seven finalists presented their ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to win start-up funding. With so many great contenders, it was hard for the judges to pick one winner. However, the winner at the end of the night was Ritesha Thomas, a resident of TCHC’s Eatonville Community (West Region). Ritesha received a Scotiabank Pitch Prize of $2,500 for her company, Carefully Crafted Toys (CC Toys). CC Toys is about providing a range of toys—including dolls, action figures, and plushies— that are inclusive for children born with rare medical conditions. Its products will enable children to see themselves reflected in the world around them. “I’m very grateful to have been named the winner of the B3 Pitch Contest,” said Ritesha, 29, a TCHC tenant since March 16
2021 and proud mother to an eight- yearold daughter. “The program gave me confidence that my business is not only viable, but can be a huge success.” Ritesha said her company’s mission is to empower differently abled children who have medical conditions and look different from others. “Through my business, we want to promote self-love and acceptance in differently-abled children by matching them with dolls that have their specific medical conditions.”
“I want CC Toys to be a global corporation,” she said. “I want factories dedicated just for my inventory. I want to walk into a Walmart or Target one day and see a whole section of CC Toys for the 93 million plus children looking for differently-abled toys.” CC Toys will soon offer soft customizable plushies coming in different genders and skin tones that can be fit with conditions of symbrachydactyly, vitiligo, amputations, and cleft lips.
Why these four particular conditions? “These four medical conditions are not well represented in the toy market for children,” says Ritesha. “I’m also confident that these customizable products can be easily produced and sold. At the end of the day, this is a business and I have to consider the marketability of my toys.” There’s another reason why Ritesha chose these particular medical conditions to be reflected in her toys: she was born with one of them. Symbrachydactyly is a rare congenital condition resulting in short fingers that may be webbed or joined. Some or all of the fingers may be underdeveloped or not developed at all. “I didn’t have an easy childhood growing up in different foster homes in the GTA,” Ritesha recalled. “Being born with a physical condition like symbrachydactyly, I really struggled with self-confidence
To learn more about Be.Build.Brand. and to have a chance at becoming the next winner, visit torontohousing.ca/BeBuildBrand.
and self-love. I became depressed at six years old. I was always hiding my hand in my sleeves so that others wouldn’t notice. I even had suicidal thoughts growing up. It was difficult.”
“We want to promote self-love and acceptance in differentlyabled children.” Ultimately, Ritesha was moved to do something. She founded CC Toys. “I want CC Toys to be a global corporation,” she said. “I want factories dedicated just for my inventory. I want to walk into a Walmart or Target one day and see a whole section of CC Toys for the 93 million plus children looking for differently-abled toys.” That’s a pitch everyone can get behind.
“Every toy we make is built on the belief that every child deserves to feel loved, included and celebrated.” – Ritesha Thomas
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Your comment Our solution Your comment: I’m having issues with my laundry room after the switch to the new laundry services provider. The new machines are too small, and they seem really complicated to use. There also aren’t enough machines available to load money onto my card. Our solution: We recognize there have been some challenges during the laundry switchover to Coinamatic. We have heard your concerns and are working with Coinamatic to put solutions in place to prevent future challenges from happening. So far, the following solutions have been put in place: • Making more cash reload machines available in buildings for tenants to use cash to load money to their Coinamatic laundry cards. • Adding in-person training sessions for tenants to learn how to use the new laundry equipment and reload machines. • Providing a multi-language user guide for tenants to refer to while doing laundry. • Providing equipment, information and instructions in an accessible format like Braille. If you’re experiencing any issues with your laundry room or laundry room machines, talk to your building’s Superintendent or contact the Client Care Centre by emailing help@torontohousing.ca or by calling 416-981-5500.
How to get in touch You can call these numbers 24-hours a day, seven days a week, or reach us via email at help@torontohousing.ca • Client Care Centre 416-981-5500 • Community Safety Unit 416-921-2323 • Crime Stoppers 416-222-8477 18
Tenant LOOP is available in many languages
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To request this newsletter in an accessible format, please contact the Client Care Centre at help@torontohousing.ca or 416-981-5500.
Thank you! This issue was made possible by the incredibly inspiring community members featured in our stories.
TorontoCommunityHousing
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Tenant LOOP Thanks also to everyone else who has helped us put a spotlight on our communities and city.
We welcome editorial tips and comments. Contact us at TenantLOOP@torontohousing.ca © 2022 Toronto Community Housing Corporation
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