The CEO of Toronto Community Housing Corp. conceded the organization has not been a good landlord to residents at a news conference Thursday morning.
“We have lost our way a little bit,” Eugene Jones told reporters. “We were trying to do everything. By trying to be everything to everyone, we end up competing against ourselves for scarce resources.”
Jones held the news conference to answer questions about the TCHC’s strategic plan, their budget and a recent Ombudsman report that found the organization should take a different approach when evicting vulnerable tenants.
“I’m looking forward to working with board members on issues that impact the company,” he said. “We will meet monthly with our team to make sure we are staying on track.”
Although he acknowledged mistakes from the past, Jones said he is focusing on the future and what needs to be done to improve the organization, vowing to bring in a “renewed sense of security and well-being.”
Among some of the board’s goals are:
- Improving conditions of buildings, including security
- Working closer with social services to identify the most vulnerable tenants
- Implementing a job support program
- Helping youth succeed in the community
More money in the TCHC budget is being allocated to these priorities.
Jones said $2.9 million had been added to the operating plan for resident services and that $17.5 million was being allocated to staff training.
The TCHC is trying to sell more than $90-million in assets. That money, along with the extra cash from the refinancing of their mortgage, will go towards repairing derelict public housing dwellings.
As part of their strategy to tackle crime on their property, Jones said the board will add new security cameras at 44 of their sites and will refurbish the 250 cameras that are currently installed.
The TCHC is responsible for more than 2,215 buildings in the city, including townhomes, detached houses and apartment dwellings of all sizes.
About 164,000 people with low or moderate incomes live in Toronto public housing.
