First group of tenants returning to 200 Wellesley St. E.

TORONTO, Oct. 2 /CNW/ - Today, a week after a six-alarm fire at 200 Wellesley St. E. displaced 1,200 residents, including many vulnerable tenants, the first group of residents from the south tower is returning home.

In keeping with its commitment to inform tenants first, Toronto Community Housing is meeting with the first tenants who will return to the building today. These tenants, who will be able to return on Saturday, are among those staying at the Wellesley Community Centre and in hotels and other temporary accommodation.

This afternoon, Toronto Community Housing will provide a media update to outline return home plans for tenants. The earliest that some other tenants will be able to return is Sunday. This includes many residents of 200 Wellesley St. E. who are currently staying with family and friends. These tenants are asked to register with Toronto Community Housing so they can receive the latest updates. They can register by calling the Tenant Hotline at 416-981-5520 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Toronto Community Housing is taking a phased approach to tenants going home. Different groups will return at different times because the fire damaged different parts of the building in different ways. It is also because some groups of tenants have special needs that will require special preparation and planning. This group includes the building's many vulnerable residents.

    
    WHAT:        Media briefing about 200 Wellesley St. E. return home plans

    DATE:        Saturday, October 2, 2010

    TIME:        2:30 p.m.

    LOCATION:    Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne St) - gather near
                 entrance on Bleecker Street
                 (Parking is available near the Community Centre on Bleecker
                 Street)
                 (The best way to reach the Community Centre is by taking
                 Earl Street, north of Wellesley onto Bleecker.)
    

Toronto Community Housing is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants, about 6% of the city's population, with low and moderate incomes. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs who deliver its mandate to provide quality housing and build great neighbourhoods. Toronto Community Housing is one of Canada's 2010 Top 100 Employers.

For further information: Media contacts: Sinead Canavan, Toronto Community Housing, 416-891-8665