More 200 Wellesley St. E. tenants able to return home

TORONTO, Oct 7 /CNW/ - Another group of residents of 200 Wellesley St. E. displaced by fire can return home. A block of 24 units on the 23^rd and 25^th floors of the building's South tower has been cleared for occupancy. Tenants have been notified and are able to return today. 

As of today, 531 residents have returned to 294 units. As a precaution, Toronto Community Housing continues to test air quality to ensure tenant safety.

Toronto Community Housing crews continue to work 24 hours a day to clean and repair the South tower's 24^th floor and the entire North tower. These floors were hardest hit by the fire. They remain uninhabitable at this time. Until the building is fully ready, Toronto Community Housing will make sure displaced tenants have a place to stay. On Wednesday evening, 226 tenants were housed in hotels, long-term care facilities and other Toronto Community Housing sites. There are no longer any tenants staying overnight at the Wellesley Community Centre.

Toronto Community Housing has taken over on-site management of 200 Wellesley St. E. from the former property manager, Greenwin Property Management. This change is allowing Toronto Community Housing to better support fire victims through this difficult period of change and adjustment. The transition does not impact the management of other Toronto Community Housing buildings in St. James Town.

The Wellesley Community Centre will remain open as a resource centre for tenants to receive support and information throughout the re-entry process. Tenants with questions can call the Tenant Hotline at 416-981-5520, visit www.torontohousing.ca, email [email protected] or visit the information desk at the Wellesley Community Centre located at 495 Sherbourne Street.

As an additional support this weekend, Toronto Community Housing is partnering with the Social Housing Services Corporation and community partners to host a Thanksgiving dinner for residents of 200 Wellesley St. E. The dinner takes place at the Ramada Inn, 300 Jarvis St., on Sunday October 10^th. Tenants are asked to bring their yellow registration card or photo ID to the security desk at 200 Wellesley St. E. to pick up a free ticket.

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