Annual Report2016

Annual Report 2016

Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust

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Message From The

Board Chair Message

2016 Stats 385 Members (501 Members as of May 2017)

74 Committee Members15 Board Members26 Local Partners2 Full-Time Staff9 Small Employment Contracts

2 Acquisitions in Progress 2 Research Studies 10 Educational Events1588 Attendees to PNLT events 13 Events of Press Coverage5 Funders188 Donors

The past year of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust has been quite extraordinary. The PNLT has deepened its ties with a number of anchor agencies, developed the process under which it can acquire land, undertaken groundbreaking research on affordable housing, and convened visioning sessions. The trust has successfully Held Together the issues of gentrification, equitable development, community aspiration and action.

The PNLT exists as an idea, but also as an accumulation of people. It is the critical mass of neighbours that has marked the tipping point from idea to action. We could not have achieved all that has been done in the past year without the incredible cadre of hundreds of members, volunteers, committees, board members—and, of course, our remarkable staff. All of these component parts work together, they amount to much more than the sum of their parts. I am confident that the coming year will be one of great opportunities and gifts for the Parkdale community. Personally, it has been an honor to serve as the chair of the board of this dynamic organization.

- Victor Willis

Board Chair

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The Acquisitions Committee and Development Coordinator lead the planning of property acquisitions for the PNLT. This includes the development of policies and exploring acquisition opportunities as they arise. In 2016 we explored five opportunities, and are actively working to secure the Milky Way Garden as well as low-rise multi-unit residential rental building.

The Milky Way Garden

In 2016 PNLT began work on it's very first property acquisition: the Milky Way Garden, located just behind the Toronto Public Library on Queen Street. We envision that the Milky Way Garden will be a shared urban agriculture space for Parkdale. Operated by Greenest City, this space will serve to increase access to healthy fresh food, while also creating opportunities for environmental learning and community connections.

On June 4, 2016, over 260 community members convened at Milky Way for a massive Fundraiser co-hosted by the PNLT & Greenest City. The fundraising campaign raised over $25,000 in direct community contributions from members and volunteers! With the generous support of the site’s original owners, John Greyson & Stephan Andrews, as well as capital contributions from the Echo Foundation and Metcalf Foundation, PNLT will soon complete its first acquisition.

With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation PNLT and Greenest City are currently undertaking a comprehensive community engaged site-planning process for this site.

Acquisitions

PNLT Board Prioritized the Acquisition of Low-Rise Residential Property

In early 2016 the PNLT Board collectively evaluated over a dozen property types and determined to prioritize the acquisition of low-rise rental housing. The evaluation was based on: Need in Parkdale, Financial Feasibility, PNLT Alignment and Operating Partner Readiness.

Acquisitions

Milky Way Garden Fundraiser, June 04th 2016

Milky Way Garden Fundraiser, June 04th 2016

4Engagement & Education

Engagement &Education

The Communications and Community Engagement (CCE) Committee helps to raise awareness of the PNLT and its mandate. It’s volunteer staff produce educational materials, organize public campaigns on topics such as urban planning and affordable housing, and work to engage new members.

The CCE Committee was hard at work on several initiatives in 2016, hosting 10 community education events on affordable housing, gentrification and neighbourhood change. A total of 1,588 people attended these events.

Our volunteers also supported community-lead initiatives in other neighbourhoods, including working with Junction residents and the Kensington Market Community Land Trust. Finally, we worked with Parkdale Community Legal Services to create and run a 1-week curriculum at Parkdale Collegiate Institute, which focused on neighbourhood change and tenant rights in Parkdale.

-Bareket Kezwer, CCE Chair

PNLT organized a neighbourhood walk as part of the launch of the Parkdale Community Plan, a result of an 18-month community-based planning initiative called the Parkdale Community Economic Development (PCED) project.

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Highlights of 2016Jane’s Walk: The Tibetan Experience in a

Gentrifying Parkdale

On May 7, 2016, PNLT Board Members Tish Carnat and Kalsang Dolma led community members on a Jane’s Walk that highlighted Parkdale’s growing Tibetan community and its contributions to the culture of South Parkdale. Stops included the Milky Way Garden—cultivated by a dedicated team of Tibetan immigrant farmers—and the Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Temple on Maynard Avenue, a local spiritual centre for Tibetan Buddhism.

On Gentrification: A Free Public Lecture Series

From November 3rd to the 17th, CCE Committee member Jason McKinney hosted a series of public lectures on gentrification. The first, simply titled “What is Gentrification?,” took the form of a conversation between social theorist Mervyn Horgan, Scott Leon of the Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership, and PNLT Board member (and moderator) Kalsang Dolma. The second talk, entitled “A Local Response” allowed PNLT members to share stories about their work in responding to gentrification and speculative development. The third and final talk, “Gentrification, Affordable Housing, and Community Finance”, featured Emma & Graham Cubitt, from Indwell, a Hamilton-based Christian charity that builds affordable community housing.

Parkdale C.I. Education Module

In 2016, the CCE Committee collaborated with Parkdale Community Legal Services to develop and lead a four-day workshop on neighbourhood change and tenant rights with Grade 10 Civics students at Parkdale Collegiate Institute. The curriculum explored the idea of housing as a human right, the impact of gentrification in Parkdale, as well as the legal complexities of rent increases and evictions. The workshop also informed students about the community-based resources and local organizations that work with residents on these issues.

Engagement & Education

PNLT's Kalsang Dolma hosts Jane's Walk 2016

On Gentrification Lecture # 1, What is Gentrification?

Coordinator Joshua Barndt leads activity and Parkdale CollegiatePNLT organized a neighbourhood walk as part of the launch of the Parkdale Community Plan, a result of an 18-month community-based planning initiative called the Parkdale Community Economic Development (PCED) project.

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Community-Based Research

Parkdale Rooming House Study

Throughout 2016 and early 2017, the PNLT led a major community-based research study of rooming houses in Parkdale. The study aimed to determine the number and condition of rooming houses in Parkdale and to assess the impact of gentrification and real estate speculation on rooming house loss. The scale of what we have found—both in terms of the size and importance of this affordable housing stock as well as the rate at which it is disappearing—has alarmed the research team, non-profits, and government alike.

Our research found 198 rooming houses in Parkdale with an estimated 2,715 dwelling rooms — more units than are owned by Toronto Community Housing within the study boundaries. We have also documented an escalating crisis of rooming house loss. The research confirmed that in the past 10 years, 28 rooming houses have been lost to conversion and upscaling gentrification, displacing an estimated 347 people. We believe 59 more properties, housing 818 people, are at imminent risk of being lost.

We call on the non-profit and public sectors to respond urgently to this crisis. We propose a 10-year, coordinated, multi-partner Parkdale Rooming House Preservation Strategy to preserve, maintain, and develop this disappearing stock of affordable housing.

Community-BasedResearch

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FinancialReport 2016

Governance

The Governance Committee developed some important policies over the past year. We created guidelines for handling conflicts of interest, and offered clear guidance on how important, time-sensitive decisions should be made by the Executive Committee in cases where the entire Board is unable to convene for discussion.

With the help of the Communications and Community Engagement Committee, we are developing an equity strategy that will help the PNLT to reflect and involve the full diversity of Parkdale’s community. We also made great strides in realizing the land trust’s 3-tiered membership model when we nominated the Tibetan Milky Way gardeners as our very first Core Members. In the coming year, the governance committee will be looking for ways to help other PNLT committees work together better.”

-Governance Chair Matt Mclean

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2016  Budget 2016  ActualIncomeDonations  /  Sponsorship 51,692.00          Foundations 91,945.00           88,636.00          Government 23,000.00          Business  Services  (Land  Lease  Fee) -­‐                                  Misc 1,443.00              TOTAL 91,945.00           164,771.00    ExpensesCommunity  engagement 2,150.00               4,615.86              Fundraising 2,400.00               1,757.41              General  administration 2,470.00               7,735.15              Governance 2,100.00               2,727.86              Planning  research  &  education 1,700.00               1,197.19              Property  development -­‐                                   8,421.50              Staff  development 900.00                     868.00                    Wages  &  benefits 56,278.00           66,318.92          Professional  services 23,604.00           41,104.03          Unfunded  projects -­‐                                   -­‐                                  TOTAL 91,602.00           134,745.92    NET 343.00                     30,025.08          

Parkdale  Neighbourhood  Land  TrustJanuary  01  -­‐  December  31  2016  

Governance& Finance

PNLT Board & Committee Member Retreat

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An agency of the Government of OntarioUn organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

Team

Staff

Joshua Barndt – Development CoordinatorLucas Van Meer-Mass - Research Coordinator

Board of Directors

Victor Willis (Chair)Rick EaganAyal DinnerJudy JosefowiczClaire-Helene Heese-Boutin (Co-Vice Chair)John Doherty Ric Amis (Secretary)Morgan LoweTish CarnatKalsang Dolma (Co-Vice Chair)Lesli GaynorZachary Michael LathropJason Thomas McKinneyStephen Cayton BrionesNancy Henderson

Officers

Victor Willis - PresidentClaire-Helene Heese-Boutin - Co-Vice ChairKalsang Dolma - Co-Vice ChairRic Amis - SecretaryJohn Doherty - TreasurerKuni Kamizaki - Planning Advisor

Committee Chairs

Matthew MacLean – Governance Committee ChairAlison Forbes – Acquisitions Committee ChairBareket Kezwer & Diana McNally – Communications & Community Engagement Committee ChairClaire-Helene Heese-Boutin - Finance Committee Chair

Community Based Researchers

Paul SniderPaul MatlessLynne SkyTrevor HardySangye Wangmo

Funders

Trillium FoundationMaytree FoundationEcho FoundationMetcalf FoundationCity of TorontoParkdale BIA

The PNLT would not be the dynamic force for change that it is without the hard work of our committee members, staff and volunteers. Thanks so much to our entire team for all of your hard work!

Parkdale Solidarity Flag Mural Launch, 2016

Team