Toronto’s housing market is becoming increasingly hostile to the very people who bring energy, talent, and growth to our communities. With sky-high rents, hidden discrimination, and waitlists for subsidized housing stretching over a decade, thousands of immigrant families are being pushed to the brink of homelessness — before they’ve even had a fair shot.
Take Heba, for example. A Canadian citizen and Syrian refugee, she’s trying to find a modest apartment before her husband arrives from Jordan. But as a part-time bank employee still living with her parents in East York, Heba says affordability is just one of many hurdles. “I see decent apartments, but the rent is insanely high. I don’t know if I can manage on my own.”
Heba’s story echoes a larger crisis playing out across the GTA:
- 📈 Rents are climbing well beyond Ontario’s guideline increases.
- 🧾 Landlords are applying for “above-guideline increases” tied to cosmetic upgrades while neglecting essential repairs.
- 🚫 Newcomers are being denied housing based on their immigration status, income source, family size — or simply their name.
According to the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, newcomer families are routinely shut out of the rental market through unfair screening practices. In many cases, landlords are choosing tenants based on racial or ethnic background, family composition, or whether they receive social assistance. These practices are illegal — but far too common.
📉 Meanwhile, waitlists for affordable housing under Ontario’s Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) program are longer than ever. Some families, like Heba’s, have been waiting more than six years with no sign of movement. The estimated wait is now 15 years or more.
At 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park Drive, tenants — many of them immigrants or seniors — have faced rent hikes of 11% or more. Despite organizing a rent strike to fight back, tenants were hit with eviction notices from their landlord. The reason for the rent hikes? “Exterior upgrades,” while mice, rats, and roaches persist inside the units.
🔍 A deeper look from the City of Toronto’s 2024 Street Needs Assessment paints an even more urgent picture:
- 75% of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto identify as racialized.
- 58% identify as Black, despite making up just 10% of the city’s population.
- 54% of shelter residents are refugee claimants.
- 70% say subsidized housing could have prevented their homelessness.
As one tenant advocate put it: “The crisis isn’t just about rent. It’s about survival.”
💬 Lendworth’s Take
At Lendworth, we believe in equity-based lending and helping all Canadians — new and established — access the dignity of stable housing. Whether you’re building a better future for your family or looking for bridge financing while you find your footing, we’re here to help with:
✅ Flexible private mortgage options
✅ Equity-based approvals (not just income-based)
✅ Construction and improvement loans starting at 9.99%
✅ No discrimination — just solutions
🏠 Because everyone deserves a place to call home.
👉 Reach out to Lendworth to learn more about our equity-first approach to financing.