Non Profit United Way Greater Toronto Transforms Parking Space into One Bed Rental Condo

United Way Greater Toronto, in collaboration with creative agency Sid Lee, transformed a 150 sq ft. residential parking spot into an affordable one-bedroom rental opportunity for $250/month illustrating how the combination of rising rent and stagnant wages have left many feeling that the only space they can afford to live in is no larger than a parking spot. The OpenHouse exhibit was held on the evening of September 23rd, alongside other activities taking place in the city of Toronto, to invite people to get a first-hand look at the 'rental unit' and discover how they can be part of the solution. 

According to the Rental Market Report of 2023, the 2023 average for a one-bedroom condo in Toronto is now $2,532, up a staggering 11.6% from 2022. Two-bedroom apartments saw a 9.2% rise. The housing crisis happening across the country, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, calls for real action and attention. During OpenHouse, the public, media and key people in the industry were invited to learn more about critical policy changes including, rent control, inclusionary zoning and rental unit replacement, and be given the tools to spread greater awareness. 

“As we walk through this transformed parking space, we're not just witnessing a visual representation of the crisis; we're seeing first hand the housing struggle that so many in our community endure every day. It's a reminder that behind the statistics are real people, real families, and real dreams that are slipping away,” says Daniele Zanotti, president and chief executive officer at United Way Greater Toronto. 

United Way Greater Toronto is working to address the full continuum of housing challenges; from homelessness and supportive housing to rental affordability, including the work UWGT undertakes to meet immediate needs for many facing housing insecurity and homelessness. UWGT is also convening business, government, and the community sector to examine emerging and innovative solutions, researching and advocating for meaningful policy changes while investing in community land trusts in Toronto and York as well as partnerships like Parkdale’s Social Medicine Initiative with UHN and the City of Toronto.

“The data is clear: the housing affordability crisis in the GTHA has been at a breaking point for years. However, the numbers alone cannot convey the human toll. OpenHouse serves as a vital conversation starter by focusing attention on the realities faced by so many lower and increasingly middle- income households. OpenHouse highlights why we need to preserve existing affordable housing and ensure that new builds are affordable to lower-income renters, a demographic often overshadowed in discussions dominated by homeownership. The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights is proud to work alongside partners like United Way Greater Toronto to leverage research, advocacy, and collaborative efforts to address the housing affordability crisis with a systematic and comprehensive approach that leaves no one behind,” states Annie Hodgins, executive director at Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. 

A short video about the exhibit will be released in the upcoming days and will be found on social media platforms. To learn more about this initiative visit here. To learn more about United Way Greater Toronto, visit here.