SYEDA JAANA ALI WARD 19

Housing Plan

Housing People Can Actually Afford

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been knocking on doors across Ward 19 and listening to residents. One concern comes up again and again: housing affordability.

Residents deserve a community where families can afford to stay, seniors can age with dignity, and working people aren’t forced to choose between housing and everyday necessities.

Residential street with houses and greenery in Toronto

My Approach

Build. Protect. Deliver.

01

Build

Support more family-sized, rental, missing-middle, and accessible housing.

02

Protect

Preserve existing affordable housing and strengthen tenant protections within the City’s authority.

03

Deliver

Push for greater transparency, faster approvals, and measurable results from City Hall.

Housing People Can Actually Afford

Housing Priorities for Ward 19

Toronto does not simply need more housing.

Protect the Affordable Homes We Already Have

Building new housing is important—but losing existing affordable rental homes only makes the crisis worse.

I will advocate for stronger municipal action to:

  • Protect existing affordable rental housing from unnecessary loss.
  • Support non-profit and community housing providers in preserving affordable buildings.
  • Strengthen enforcement of housing standards and tenant protections within the City’s authority.
  • Identify buildings and communities at risk of displacement.
  • Put preservation alongside new construction as a core part of Toronto’s housing strategy.

Every affordable home we save is one less affordable home we have to replace.

Build the Homes Ward 19 Families Actually Need

We need a greater mix of housing—not simply more of the same.

I will support responsible development that increases the supply of:

  • Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.
  • Townhomes and other missing-middle housing.
  • Purpose-built rental housing.
  • Two- and three-bedroom family-sized apartments.
  • Accessible homes for seniors and residents with disabilities.

More housing must also mean better neighbourhoods.

Growth should be planned alongside transit, roads, parks, schools, childcare, community services, and other infrastructure that residents depend on.

Make “Affordable” Mean Something

Residents deserve to know what they are actually being promised.

When public resources support a housing project, I will push for clear public information about:

What is the monthly rent? How many bedrooms? What household income can afford it? How long will it remain affordable?

No more vague claims about affordability.

Affordable for whom?

That should be the question behind every housing decision.

Cut the Wait for Housing

Toronto cannot say it has a housing crisis while homes spend years moving through complicated approval processes.

I will advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the development process, including a Housing Delivery Clock that allows residents to see:

  • When a housing application was submitted.
  • Where it is in the approval process.
  • What issues remain outstanding.
  • Which stage is causing delays.
  • How long the process has taken.

If we need more housing, residents deserve to know why approved housing is taking so long to reach the ground.

Keep Ward 19 a Place Where Families Can Stay

Affordability is not just about the price of a home.

It is about whether a young family can remain near grandparents, whether a senior can age in their community, whether a renter can stay when their family grows, and whether a working household can continue to call Ward 19 home.

I will fight for housing policies that recognize the needs of:

  • Young families.
  • Renters.
  • Seniors.
  • Newcomers.
  • First-time buyers.
  • Working households.
  • People living on fixed incomes.
  • Residents who need accessible housing.

Our Standard

I will judge housing policy by a simple question

Does it make it easier for people to afford a home and stay in the community they call home?

A Different Approach to Housing

I am not going to promise residents that one councillor can solve Toronto’s housing crisis.

But I will promise this:

  • I will listen to residents.
  • I will fight for practical solutions.
  • I will challenge City Hall when the system isn’t delivering.
  • I will measure results—not just make promises.

Housing affordability should not be a campaign slogan. It should be something residents can see, measure, and feel in their everyday lives.

View All Priorities