PETITION AGAINST THE PROPOSED “AFFORDABLE HOMES” DEVELOPMENT AT 7–9 WARDLAW CRESCENT, THISTLETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD OF ETOBICOKE

To: The City of Toronto, Mayor, City Councillors, and Relevant Decision-Makers

Subject: Opposition to the Proposed “Affordable Homes” Development at 7–9 Wardlaw Crescent, Etobicoke

We, the undersigned residents of the Thistletown Community in North Etobicoke, strongly oppose the city’s plan to build so-called “affordable homes” at 7–9 Wardlaw Crescent, directly behind an existing senior shelter. While the city is using misleading language to describe this proposal, it is clear (and has been confirmed by the city employees attending the March 17th town hall) that this will function as a homeless shelter or transitional/longer term housing facility “for the displaced”, bringing serious concerns about safety, resources, and the long-term impact on our neighborhood.

Our Concerns:

1.      Deceptive Terminology & Lack of Transparency:

• The city is calling this “affordable homes” when in reality, it is a homeless shelter and/or transitional housing for the homeless. We, the residents deserve honesty, not hidden agendas.
• This development is being forced into a large residential pocket with only two exits onto Islington Avenue, creating significant concerns for traffic, safety, and community impact. Despite this, the city has shown a lack of transparency by notifying only a small fraction of the residents who will be directly affected. The reality is that this entire neighborhood will bear the consequences of this development, not just those who were formally informed. 

2.      Safety Concerns for Families & Children:

• As families with young children living on this street, we do not feel safe walking in the evening or at night due to the existing homeless shelter on the street, which has unfortunately led to incidents of drug abuse and people living in their cars. The proposed 51-unit building will worsen these conditions, making the neighborhood even less safe.

3.      Loss of Privacy:

• The height and proximity of the development to existing homes will compromise the privacy of neighbouring residents, allowing direct lines of site into private yards and living spaces.

4.       High Crime Rates & Safety Risks:

• North Etobicoke already struggles with high crime rates, including theft, break-ins, and violent incidents. Placing an additional shelter or transitional housing facility here will likely worsen these issues, impacting families and residents in the area.

5.      Increased Strain on Local Resources:

• The neighborhood is already grappling with overflow parking from local businesses on Albion and Islington and limited resources for schools, healthcare, and emergency services. The addition of this large-scale housing development will further strain these services and infrastructure, leaving us with fewer resources for families and individuals already living here.

6.      Unfair Burden on North Etobicoke Residents:

• Our community has already absorbed more than its fair share of shelters and social housing. Instead of continuing to concentrate these developments in North Etobicoke, the city should ensure a fair and balanced distribution of such facilities across Toronto.

7.      Negative Impact on Property Values, Local Businesses and        Neighbourhood Character: 

The presence of shelters and transitional housing has been shown to lower property values and deter local investment. As a result of this development, the homeowners and small businesses in the area stand to suffer.

•  Homeowners have made significant financial investment in the area and this development will impact the long-term equity.
•  The size and scale of this development are inconsistent with the existing character of the community, further affecting our property values and altering the residential atmosphere.

8.      Existing Community Grievances and Infrastructure Issues:

•  Our neighbourhood is already grappling with a vast number of unresolved issues:
• Infrastructure and maintenance: residents have made numerous service requests related to potholes, damaged garbage bins, sewer line issues, constant power outages, and wildlife concerns. Instead of helping our neighbourhood fix existing concerns and issues, the new development will add to them. 
• Our neighbourhood has only TWO EXITS onto Islington Avenue, directly next to a VERY busy commercial zone. Making a left turn, regardless of hours, is nearly impossible and even turning right can be a challenge with heavy traffic and a bus stop located right on the corner of Islington and Wardlaw blocking the view of on-coming traffic. Adding 51 new residents, along with their visitors and service providers, will only make it harder and more stressful for existing residents to enter and exit our community SAFELY and EFFICIENTLY. 
• Directly across from the proposed development is the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement church. On weekends, during church services, navigating this area becomes nearly impossible due to heavy traffic, making an already challenging situation even worse. Residents in the area struggle to back out of their driveways amid the congestion.
• Our community has been facing more frequent flooding because the sewer system can’t keep up with wastewater demand. Adding more residents—and increasing water consumption—will only make the already failing infrastructure even worse.
• We are seeing increasing uncleanliness, garbage buildup, paved over green space in our neighbourhood. Rather than enhancing the community aesthetics, by implementing previously promised improvements (under BY-LAW No. 72-2007 and BY-LAW No. 353-2007), the City’s proposed development will only contribute to its deterioration.

Our Demands:

• Stop the “Affordable Homes” proposal at 7–9 Wardlaw Crescent immediately.
• Hold a public consultation with full transparency about the city’s plans and the implications for our community. 
• Revisit and reconsider the previously proposed plans for this property, which residents had already supported and looked forward to – such as the green space, a dog park, or another community-friendly ENHANCEMENTS to our deteriorating neighbourhood.
• Distribute shelters and social housing developments more evenly across Toronto instead of concentrating them in one neighborhood.

Conclusion:

We believe that every neighborhood deserves the right to peace, safety, and comfort. We are not opposed to affordable housing, but we insist on proper planning and consideration for the current inhabitants of North Etobicoke. 

We urge the City of Toronto to reconsider this development at its proposed location while working work with our community to find better solutions.

We, the undersigned residents, stand united in opposition to this proposal and demand immediate action.