Public donations distributed to 200 Wellesley St. E. tenants

TORONTO, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Financial donations from the public will be distributed to residents of 200 Wellesley St. E., who were displaced by the recent fire, starting November 8 at the Wellesley Community Centre.

"Toronto Community Housing would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations of Toronto who so generously donated to help their fellow citizens, the residents of 200 Wellesley St. E.," said Mitzie Hunter, Chief Administrative Officer, Toronto Community Housing. "The public should know that 100 per cent of the money raised is going directly to residents of 200 Wellesley St. E."

"This has been a very difficult time for the residents of 200 Wellesley and we thank Torontonians who have demonstrated their generous spirit by donating cash and goods such as clothing, shoes and non-perishable food to assist residents in their time of need," said Sue Corke, Deputy City Manager at the City of Toronto. To date, approximately $140,000 in cash donations and $8,000 in gift cards has been received by the City of Toronto's Office of Partnerships (TOP) and the City is continuing to collect donations. Cheques have been prepared for all residents of 200 Wellesley St. E. Donations are being allocated based on unit size, with tenants living in two-bedroom units receiving $292 per unit and tenants living in bachelors and one-bedroom units receiving $146 per unit.

North Tower tenants can pick up their cheques starting Monday, November 8, and South Tower tenants can pick up their cheques starting Tuesday, November 9, at the Wellesley Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cheques must be picked up by the primary leaseholder. Tenants who cannot pick up their cheque on the dates indicated can do so from November 9 to 12. Tenants are reminded that they need to bring their yellow registration card or another piece of identification to the information centre at the Wellesley Community Centre. Tenants who are not able to personally pick up their cheques should contact the Tenant Hotline at 416-981-5520.

In addition, tenants in the North Tower have already received a clothing allowance of $150 for residents in bachelor or one-bedroom units, and $300 for residents in two-bedroom units.

Tenants of the North Tower and the 24^th Floor South Tower who have not been able to return home and access their belongings are still welcome to visit the donation centre at 257 Jarvis Street where they may find gently used sweaters, pants, and shoes. The donation centre is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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. The work is on schedule and good progress is being made. That includes:

• The near-completion of the drying of the building
• The start of remediation, which involves the removal of water-damaged materials and cleaning of units in preparation for construction
• Construction under way where drying and remediation is complete

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada's largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes-about six per cent of the City of Toronto's population. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs, who deliver its mandate to provide affordable housing, connect tenants to services and opportunities, and work, together to build healthy communities.

For further information:

Media contacts:
Kyle Rooks, Toronto Community Housing, 416-981-4347
Rob Andrusevich, City of Toronto, 416-397-4149