Item - 2024.PH16.7

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, to extend the lease agreements, on the existing terms and conditions, with Alexandra Park Housing Co-operative and Beech Hall Housing Co-operative, by up to one year, if necessary, to allow adequate time for the negotiation of the terms of the new lease agreements and operating agreements.

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to report to Planning and Housing Committee in 2025, following the execution of new lease agreements with Alexandra Park Housing Co-operative and Beech Hall Housing Co-operative, with recommendations to secure exemptions from taxation for municipal and school purposes for Alexandra Park Housing Co-operative and Beech Hall Housing Co-operative, in accordance with the Municipal Housing Facility By-Law.

On June 26, 2024, through PH13.9 - Community Housing Sector Modernization and Growth Strategy, City Council approved a new Policy Framework for Ground Leases with Community Housing Providers (“Policy Framework”). This Policy Framework provides a guide for the City when making decisions to renew, amend, or enter into new ground lease agreements with Community Housing Providers which operate a vital part of Toronto's affordable housing stock.

Staff were directed to report back by October 30, 2024 to Planning and Housing Committee on the status of lease negotiations with the Beech Hall Housing Co-operative (“Beech Hall”) and Alexandra Park Housing Co-operative (“Alexandra Park”) and, should it be necessary, make recommendations to extend the current lease arrangements until such time as new leases are finalized.

Beech Hall is a collection of 16 two-storey walk-up apartment buildings providing 128-units to low-income seniors (aged 55 or over) at 2 Humber Boulevard (Ward 5 – York South-Weston) in the community of Mount Dennis. In 1980, Beech Hall entered into a 45-year ground lease agreement with the former Borough of York, which is set to expire on January 3, 2025. The recommendations in this report would result in Beech Hall continuing to occupy its premises while negotiations for a new lease agreement and a new operating agreement are concluded.

Alexandra Park is composed of 104-units in four low-rise apartment buildings and 39 townhouses providing housing for low-income individuals and families at 25 Eden Place (10 – Spadina-Fort York). On April 1, 1972, Alexandra Park entered into an agreement with the City to build in the Alexandra Park redevelopment area. On February 1, 1974, the building was substantially completed and the City and the Alexandra Park entered into a 50-year lease agreement, which expired on January 31, 2024. Alexandra Park continues to occupy its premises while negotiations for a new lease agreement and a new operating agreement are concluded. 

This report provides an update on the current status and next steps of lease negotiations with Beech Hall and Alexandra Park, and requests Council’s authority to extend current leases by up to one year.