Affordable Housing Campaign

Housing Committee

The Housing Committee works to address housing insecurity among graduate students at the University of Toronto through research, support services, advocacy, and sustainable development initiatives.

Goal

Our primary goal is to alleviate housing insecurity among University of Toronto graduate students. We aim to ensure that every graduate student has access to safe, affordable, and suitable housing, enabling them to focus on their studies without the stress of housing uncertainty. We work towards both immediate solutions and long-term strategies to address housing challenges. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness of broader student rights and concerns related to cost of living, urban development, and overall well-being in the context of Toronto’s housing market.

Strategies

Research and Knowledge Gathering
Member Empowerment and Support
Advocacy for Policy Change
Pursue New Housing Supply

Resources

City of Toronto Informational Resources

Preventing Eviction in Toronto: A Handbook for Renters: Provides information for renters to understand their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act, including scenarios, templates and best practices when faced with an eviction.
- This handbook is available online in 5 different languages.
Renter Rights in Rooming (Multi-Tenant) Houses brochure: Provides renters living in rooming houses with an outline of their rights and responsibilities as it pertains to the Residential Tenancies Act and the City of Toronto Multi-Tenant Housing Framework.
This brochure is available online in 11 different languages.

Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw brochure: Provides a brief overview of the Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw which came into effect July 31, 2025. The bylaw applies to tenants who receive N13 notices and requires the owners and/or operators of rental buildings in Toronto (i.e. landlords) to apply for a Rental Renovation Licence before beginning any repair or renovation work that requires a building permit and a tenant to move out.
Toronto’s Academic Housing Strategy: The Academic Housing Strategy outlines key actions to expand housing options, improve affordability, and ensure housing stability for students. It establishes a collaborative framework between the City of Toronto, academic institutions, non-profits, developers, and government partners to deliver sustainable housing solutions.

City of Toronto Programs

Toronto Tenant Supports Program: Delivered by three City-funded organizations that provide direct support to tenants facing evictions and renovictions.
- Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) provides eligible tenants free legal information, support, and representation.
- Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) provides tenants with free rights information through the FMTA Hotline and tenant outreach and organizing.
- Centre for Community and Immigrant Services (CICS) provides tenants free, culturally and linguistically appropriate rights information, connections to tenant support services, and legal advice.
Eviction Prevention in the Community Program: Supports renters at imminent risk of eviction by providing immediate, short-term support to sustain tenancies.
Rent Bank: Provides grants to renters who are behind on rental payments or require support with a rental deposit.
Housing Stabilization Fund: Provides renters who are receiving social assistance with funding for rental arrears or to establish new housing, funded by the Government of Ontario.
Toronto Shelter and Support Services: Delivers emergency shelter, street outreach, and housing-focused support for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing, with a focus on connecting clients to stable, long-term housing solutions.

Other Resources

Guide to Housing Law in Ontario: Community Legal Education Ontario
2025 Tenant Guide: MPP Jill Andrew Community Office, Toronto-St. Paul’s
UTSU Housing Guide: University of Toronto Students’ Union
Student Life Housing: University of Toronto Housing Services
Free Legal Services for UofT Students: Downtown Legal Services

Get Involved

To get involved with UTGSU’s Housing Campaign, please fill out the form below and/or contact the Vice-President Internal at internal@utgsu.ca.

Join the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) Affordable Housing Campaign email listserv. The campaign, facilitated by the Housing Committee, will periodically send you updates on the campaign and how to get involved.