Keep Weston Homes: Protect tenants from displacement
The Issue
Keep Weston–Mount Dennis Homes: Protect tenants from displacement
Directed to: Toronto City Council, Councillor Chiara Padovani (Ward 5 – York South–Weston).
Why this matters
Weston- Mount Dennis is home to people from different backgrounds, including families, seniors, newcomers, and residents who have lived in the neighborhood for many years. However, rising housing costs, renovation-related eviction notices, and new developments are making it harder for some people to stay in the community they call home.
Our group’s community research helped us understand that housing insecurity is an important issue in this neighborhood. One example is 80 Guestville Avenue, where more than two dozen tenants received eviction notices related to planned renovations in 2024. Their experience shows why tenants need to understand their rights and know where to find support when they are at risk of losing their homes (Oatley, 2025).
Toronto introduced its rental Renovations Licence Bylaw in July 2025. This is an important step because it requires landlords to obtain a licence before carrying out certain renovations that require tenants to move out. However, residents also need clear information about their rights and access to support in their own neighborhood (City of Toronto, n.d.).
What we are asking for
We are asking the Toronto council to:
- Strengthen tenant protections: Enforce the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw and make information about it easier for tenants to understand.
- Provide free housing navigation: Provide direct, community-based guidance on tenant rights, legal referrals, eviction notices, and affordable housing applications to empower residents facing housing precarity.
- Provide funding to local community organizations: Increase stable, long-term funding for grassroots organizations like the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre so they can continue providing critical housing support and frontline resources.
- Anti displacement initiatives: Fund targeted anti-displacement programs and affordable housing developments that prioritize long-term Weston–Mount Dennis residents remain in their neighbourhood as new developments take place.
We believe that improving a neighborhood should also mean protecting the people who already live there. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. By signing this petition you would help make sure Weston-Mount denni can grow without leaving its residents behind.
References
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/permits-licences-bylaws/renovictions-bylaw-development/
City of Toronto. (2025). Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260773.pdf
Oatley, G. (2025, July 31). Tenants celebrate city’s new ‘renoviction’ bylaw, but say it comes too late. TorontoToday. https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-estate-housing/new-renoviction-bylaw-tenants-celebrate-too-late-11018801
Weston King Neighbourhood Centre. (n.d.). Access services. https://www.wknc.ca/access-services
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The Issue
Keep Weston–Mount Dennis Homes: Protect tenants from displacement
Directed to: Toronto City Council, Councillor Chiara Padovani (Ward 5 – York South–Weston).
Why this matters
Weston- Mount Dennis is home to people from different backgrounds, including families, seniors, newcomers, and residents who have lived in the neighborhood for many years. However, rising housing costs, renovation-related eviction notices, and new developments are making it harder for some people to stay in the community they call home.
Our group’s community research helped us understand that housing insecurity is an important issue in this neighborhood. One example is 80 Guestville Avenue, where more than two dozen tenants received eviction notices related to planned renovations in 2024. Their experience shows why tenants need to understand their rights and know where to find support when they are at risk of losing their homes (Oatley, 2025).
Toronto introduced its rental Renovations Licence Bylaw in July 2025. This is an important step because it requires landlords to obtain a licence before carrying out certain renovations that require tenants to move out. However, residents also need clear information about their rights and access to support in their own neighborhood (City of Toronto, n.d.).
What we are asking for
We are asking the Toronto council to:
- Strengthen tenant protections: Enforce the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw and make information about it easier for tenants to understand.
- Provide free housing navigation: Provide direct, community-based guidance on tenant rights, legal referrals, eviction notices, and affordable housing applications to empower residents facing housing precarity.
- Provide funding to local community organizations: Increase stable, long-term funding for grassroots organizations like the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre so they can continue providing critical housing support and frontline resources.
- Anti displacement initiatives: Fund targeted anti-displacement programs and affordable housing developments that prioritize long-term Weston–Mount Dennis residents remain in their neighbourhood as new developments take place.
We believe that improving a neighborhood should also mean protecting the people who already live there. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. By signing this petition you would help make sure Weston-Mount denni can grow without leaving its residents behind.
References
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/permits-licences-bylaws/renovictions-bylaw-development/
City of Toronto. (2025). Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260773.pdf
Oatley, G. (2025, July 31). Tenants celebrate city’s new ‘renoviction’ bylaw, but say it comes too late. TorontoToday. https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-estate-housing/new-renoviction-bylaw-tenants-celebrate-too-late-11018801
Weston King Neighbourhood Centre. (n.d.). Access services. https://www.wknc.ca/access-services
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Petition created on November 5, 2026