Item - 2026.GG30.22

The General Government Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the City to enter into Community Space Tenancy lease agreement (the “Lease”) at below market rent with The Black Women's Institute for Health (the “Tenant”) for the City premises located at 1652 Keele Street (the “Leased Premises”), as illustrated in the attached Appendix A to the report (May 19, 2026) from the Executive Director, Social Development and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management for a ten-year term with an option to extend for a further ten-year period, in accordance with the City's Community Space Tenancy Policy and substantially on the terms and conditions set out in the attached Appendix B to the report (May 19, 2026) from the Executive Director, Social Development, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and on such other or amended terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize each of the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, severally to execute the Lease, and any related or required documents on behalf of the City to give effect to the Lease.

3. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the Executive Director, Social Development, to administer and manage the Community Space Tenancy Lease including the provision of any amendments, consents, approvals, waivers, notices, and notices of termination, provided that the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management may, at any time, refer consideration of such matters (including their content) to City Council for its determination and direction.

4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, to execute a service level agreement and a co-location agreement with The Black Women’s Institute for Health in respect of the community hub tenancy at the Leased Premises, in accordance with the City’s Community Space Tenancy Policy, on terms satisfactory to the Executive Director, Social Development, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council pass a By-law pursuant to Section 252 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, providing authority to:

a. enter into a Municipal Capital Facility Agreement with The Black Women's Institute for Health, which will lease approximately 2,017 square feet of community space at 1652 Keele Street (the “Leased Premises”), for the purposes of the provision of Municipal Capital Facility related to social and health services; and

b. exempt the Leased Premises from taxation for municipal and school purposes with the tax exemption being effective from the latest of:

1. the commencement date of the Lease;

2. the date the Municipal Capital Facility Agreement is entered into; and

3. the date the Municipal Capital Facility By-law is enacted.

6. City Council direct the City Clerk to give written notice of the Municipal Capital Facility By-law to the Minister of Finance, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and le Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.

This report seeks City Council authority to enter into a Community Space Tenancy lease agreement (the “Lease”) with The Black Women's Institute for Health, as the tenant for approximately 2,017 square feet, including 1,286 square feet of dedicated space and proportionate share of common areas, within the Keele Community Hub, a City‑owned facility located at 1652 Keele Street (the “Leased Premises”) that supports coordinated, co-located delivery of social, cultural, and community‑based services. This report also seeks authority to designate the leased premises for the tenant as a Municipal Capital Facility, in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and applicable City policy.

Consistent with the Community Space Tenancy Policy (2017.EX28.8), a competitive Request for Expressions of Interest process was conducted in 2025. Applications were evaluated against established criteria, including organizational capacity, financial sustainability, alignment with City priorities, and demonstrated ability to deliver locally responsive services. The Black Women’s Institute for Health was selected based on merit and capacity to address identified area‑specific needs through the delivery of integrated, community‑responsive programming within a shared hub model.

The Black Women’s Institute for Health will join five existing tenants at the Keele Community Hub, strengthening an integrated service model focused on youth, newcomers, and families. The organization will deliver culturally grounded programming that advances the health, wellness, and long-term outcomes of Black women and girls through research, advocacy, and community-based services addressing the social determinants of health.