RPNA’s Community Benefits Coalition

The Coalition was formed by the Regent Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA) comprised of TCHC and Condo residents, with support from local community organizations and the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN). The Coalition is working with community members, community groups and organizations to leverage equitable local economic development opportunities and community benefits from Regent Park’s last phases of revitalization. 

Purpose

The Coalition’s purpose is to improve the revitalization Request for Proposal (RFP) process by demanding a seat at the table with TCHC to ensure community benefits requirements with hard targets and increased transparency for Phases 4 & 5 of revitalization in Regent Park. Through these efforts, the Coalition wants TCHC and the developer partner to set up key infrastructure that will continue to support the community for years to come and the means to hold them accountable through a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement.

Members include:

Marlene DeGenova (RPNA, Advocacy Co-Chair)

Ines Garcia (RPNA, Advocacy Co-Chair)

Ismail Afrah (RPNA Delegate/Staff)

Miguel Avila-Velarde (RPNA Delegate)

Sureya Ibrahim (RPNA Delegate)

August 2020: 

Toronto Community Housing - Regent Park Community Benefits Townhall 

March 2020: 

The Regent Park Community Benefits Coalition has signed a Community Benefits Framework Agreement with Toronto Community Housing for Phases 4 + 5 revitalization in Regent Park. 

Thanks to the Regent Park Neighbourhood Association (RPNA), local community members and organizations that helped lead this campaign over the past year. The Coalition engaged neighbours through petitions, activated local stakeholders, hosted meetings for community members to learn more about the revitalization process, developed a shared vision (Community Priorities report) and sought support from local stakeholders including local Councillor Kristyn Wong Tam, MPP Suze Morrison and MP Bill Morneau.  

The Community Benefits Framework Agreement:

• Highlights key principles and values for the revitalization process
• Secures TCHC commitments to the use of the Community Priorities report themes in negotiations with selected developer partner
• Outlines roles and responsibilities of TCHC, City of Toronto and Coalition throughout Phase 4 + 5 revitalization
• Identifies how the selected developer will engage the community to co-develop a Community Benefits Plan that will be formalized into a legally binding agreement