A commercial real estate developer, David Walsh, alongside the FCJ Refugee Centre and the Leaside Residents Association, is proposing to convert 10 vacant luxury homes in north Toronto into temporary housing for low-income families. The plan faces uncertainty regarding support from city officials and the property owner, Gairloch Developments, which intends to demolish the houses for a new residential tower but currently lacks the necessary permit. Despite the initiative’s potential benefits, concerns about feasibility and liability have been raised, and Gairloch has not responded to outreach efforts. Walsh argues that renting the homes could help developers avoid hefty vacant home taxes while providing immediate housing solutions.
