The Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee held its ninth meeting to discuss two major issues: developing an evidence-based neighborhood assessment tool to guide city investments, and addressing disproportionate eviction rates affecting Black residents in Toronto Community Housing. The committee passed a motion requiring staff to develop a citywide framework for scaling social development plans by the 2027 budget, and controversially approved a temporary moratorium on rent arrears evictions at Toronto Community Housing from July to November 2026—a decision that passed 7-3 despite concerns about unintended consequences.

Topics Discussed

New Neighborhood Assessment Tool and Investment Framework

The city is developing a comprehensive evidence-based planning tool to replace outdated neighborhood classification systems from 2005 and 2014. The new tool, being developed with United Way, will combine quantitative census data with qualitative community input including "asset mapping" and "community narrative stories" at the census tract level. Expected to launch in 2027, it will guide how the city prioritizes investments across all 158 neighborhoods. Deputy Mayor Amber Moley emphasized the tool must lead to "more funding instead of just better data collection...we need to put our money where our mouth is." The committee passed a motion requiring the City Manager to report back as part of the 2027 budget process on scaling social development plans citywide, with Councillor May stating: "Our budget is a reflection of our political priorities."

Social Development Plan Funding Crisis

Multiple councillors raised urgent concerns about inadequate funding for community-led social development plans, particularly in neighborhoods like Regent Park, Lawrence Heights, and Alexander Park. Regent Park previously received $500,000 annually through 2026, but future funding remains uncertain despite the neighborhood achieving zero gun-related deaths in 2023. Councillor Wolit emphasized: "Communities do not need more tools. We need investment, we need governance, and we need accountability...Residents know what's best for them." The city currently invests $33 million in community partnerships with 169+ organizations, but councillors argued this is insufficient given the scale of need. A proposed motion calling for $250,000-$500,000 per neighborhood annually was amended to require development of a comprehensive framework by 2027 rather than immediate funding allocation.

Racial Disparities in Evictions

Alarming data revealed that Black and Indigenous tenants face nearly double the eviction rate of other residents, with Black residents representing 10% of Toronto's population but 58% of homeless survey respondents. Toronto Community Housing's eviction rate increased from 0.58% in 2024 to 0.96% in 2025—nearly a 100% increase. Tamana Yasmin from Regent Park Neighborhood Association stated: "Eviction is not just a housing issue. It is a racial justice issue. It contributes to homelessness, family instability, and long-term community disruption." A critical data gap was identified: Toronto Community Housing cannot currently track identity-based eviction data, with a comprehensive framework not expected until Q2-Q3 2027. The city lacks systematic tracking of what happens to tenants after eviction, including how many enter shelters or become unhoused.

Controversial Eviction Moratorium

Councillor Willy moved a motion for a temporary moratorium on rent arrears evictions at Toronto Community Housing from July 30 to November 15, 2026 (during municipal election recess). The motion passed 7-3 despite significant opposition. Supporters argued: "When someone is evicted from TCHC, they're not moving to another unit down the street. Too often they're moving into homelessness, into shelters, into overcrowded conditions." Deputy Mayor Moley voted against, expressing concern about "unintended consequences" and community safety, noting that evictions sometimes address "violence" or "other challenges" and that the process already "can take two and a half years on average." The motion also requires TCHC to report by Q4 2026 on demographics of tenants facing eviction, disaggregated by race, gender, age, and postal code.

Community Room Accessibility Upgrades

The committee held its first meeting in the newly upgraded Community Room 1 at City Hall, featuring greater accessibility for mobility devices, separation of the public gallery from the council area, new audio-visual equipment including microphones and monitors, significant acoustic improvements, and dedicated public access doors. Deputy Mayor Moley noted these improvements directly impact public access to council meetings, with meetings also available via livestream at youtube.com/citycouncillive.

Motions

Passed: - Motion to develop a neighborhood assessment tool and citywide framework for scaling social development plans and community development plans, with City Manager to report back as part of 2027 budget process (passed with friendly amendment) - Motion for temporary moratorium on rent arrears evictions at Toronto Community Housing from July 30 to November 15, 2026, with requirement for TCHC to report on eviction demographics by Q4 2026 (passed 7-3 on recorded vote) - Motion to elect May Muhammad as Vice Chair of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee for term March 23, 2026 to November 14, 2026 (passed unanimously)

Rejected: - None explicitly rejected

Deferred: - Two technical/administrative items deferred from earlier in meeting (specific details not provided in transcript)

Attendees

Present: - Deputy Mayor Amber Moley (Chair) - Councillor May - Councillor Willy (also referenced as "Wolit" and "Valid") - Councillor Amanry - Councillor Kathy (also referenced as "Kathy Moscow") - Councillor Ali - Councillor Queen - Councillor Kakoy - Councillor Kendall Ford - Councillor Mohamad - Councillor Makima - Councillor Deanna Walters - Councillor Haley Moashi - Councillor Georgia Mo - Caris Newton Thompson

Resigned: - Lucina Rakatovo (Vice Chair, resigned effective January 19)