The DTES will continue to be a neighbourhood of communities providing sustainable, safe and healthy places for everyone to live and work. These communities will continue to value & cherish unique characteristics, including diversity, economic mix, culture & heritage. The neighbourhood will be made of up mixed-income communities with a wide range of affordable housing options (including social housing) for all residents, local serving commerce, social services and cultural activities where all feel welcome, valued and at home
Providing affordable housing choices for all incomes living in the DTES because it provides the greatest housing affordability in the city
Create social housing and provide housing choice inside and outside the community for those who are homeless
Maintaining and enhancing the level of affordability that currently exists for singles (including seniors) and families
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Assisting vulnerable residents dealing with mental health and addiction challenges to find and maintain housing with supports
Motivate partnership contributions, including other levels of governments, developer, and non-profits, to build new social housing, increase social and health supports, and improve affordability
Motivate senior levels of government to provide adequate levels of income supports to people receiving Income Assistance to cover the costs of basic necessities and motivate increased access to a range of employment and/or volunteer opportunities
Create an enhanced sense of inclusion, belonging and safety for all, with a focus on greater safety for women, children and seniors
Secure critical community assets (including inexpensive, healthy food; showers; social service agencies, safe and friendly gathering spaces and shelter) which existing residents need to thrive
Develop an inclusive, mixed local economy focused on retaining existing businesses, attracting new businesses which fit into the neighbourhood and enhancing local employment opportunities
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Prioritize walking, cycling and transit, and seek to improve livability and community accessibility
Invest in arts and culture facilities, co-locate cultural and community space to improve service delivery by neighbourhood artists, and increase opportunities for local artists to become involved in the creative economy
Implement an innovative Social Impact Management Framework primarily linked to a community-based development area to protect identified community assets, and encourage a good neighbourhood fit for new developments and businesses in terms of a community agreement