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Toronto Charity Seeks Refund of Almost $200,000 in Development Charges for Deaf-and-Blind Community Housing Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Canadian Helen Keller Centre, a charity building a housing project for the deaf-and-blind community, has filed an official complaint with the city of Toronto over development charges applied to its project at 150 Eighth St. in south Etobicoke. The charity is seeking a refund of almost $200,000 in development charges, which it claims were applied incorrectly.

The project, which is expected to open this fall, will provide 56 units of accessible and affordable housing, as well as a 6,500-square-foot training centre where deafblind people can learn essential skills. The federal government is providing more than two-thirds of the project's $44-million cost, with the city, province, CHKC, and donations making up the rest.

The charity argues that it should be exempt from education development charges, as well as municipal fees, and that the charges were applied improperly. However, city staff have determined that there was no error in applying the education development charge bylaw, and the Toronto Catholic District School Board has recommended that the city dismiss the charity's complaint.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian Helen Keller Centre is seeking a refund of $198,850 in development charges for its deaf-and-blind community housing project at 150 Eighth St. in south Etobicoke.
  • The project is expected to open this fall and will provide 56 units of accessible and affordable housing, as well as a 6,500-square-foot training centre.
  • The federal government is providing more than two-thirds of the project's $44-million cost, with the city, province, CHKC, and donations making up the rest.
  • The charity argues that it should be exempt from education development charges and municipal fees, as the project will have "little to no impact" on Toronto Catholic District School Board infrastructure.
  • City staff have determined that there was no error in applying the education development charge bylaw, and the school board has recommended that the city dismiss the charity's complaint.
  • Local councillor Amber Morley has introduced a motion to defer consideration of the complaint until next month, in order to give city staff time to consult with the school board and the charity.

Statistics:

  • $198,850: Amount of development charges sought by the Canadian Helen Keller Centre.
  • $44,000,000: Total project cost.
  • 56: Number of housing units to be provided by the project.
  • 6,500: Square footage of the training centre.
  • 85%: Percentage of project cost to be funded by the federal government.
  • 5%: Percentage of project cost to be funded by the city.
  • 5%: Percentage of project cost to be funded by the province.
  • 5%: Percentage of project cost to be funded by donations.

Sources:

  • Toronto Star: "Charity seeks refund of almost $200,000 in development charges for deaf-and-blind community housing project"
  • Canadian Helen Keller Centre: Project website
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board: Submission to city council
  • City of Toronto: Report to Mayor Olivia Chow's executive committee

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