The Community Benefits Packages
It’s time to vote on which Community Benefits Package you want to see invested in Regent Park. Learn more about what each package offers below.
As part of the Regent Park revitalization, $26.8 million will be invested in the community. To help determine how these funds should be used, Regent Park residents can cast their vote to choose the final Community Benefits Package.
There are three packages to choose from. All three packages invest in the same areas:
- New community space(s)
- Educational scholarships for TCHC tenants
- Job skills training and local business development
- Wages for jobs and employment supports
- Funding for community initiatives
Each package invests the same amount of money into wages for jobs and employment supports and funding for community initiatives. The difference between the packages is how much money will be invested in the other areas.
Package 1: Focus on new community space(s)
As the neighbourhood grows, residents want to see more accessible spaces where all Regent Park residents can be included. This package provides the largest investment in new community space(s) that are being built in Phases 4 and 5 of the revitalization.
New community space(s): $6 million
This investment will be put towards the outfitting of new community spaces created as part of Phases 4 and 5. This includes the design, furniture and equipment for those spaces to make them functional. It will also subsidize operating costs like utilities and maintenance for a few years. The investment could go towards a single space or multiple smaller spaces across different parts of Phases 4 and 5.
The $6 million investment would support approximately 20,000 square feet of new community space(s).
Educational scholarships for TCHC tenants: $2 million
This investment will provide scholarships for TCHC tenants in Regent Park who are ages 17 and older. Scholarships will be available for part-time or full-time post-secondary studies.
The $2 million investment would equal approximately 400+ scholarships over the course of the revitalization.
Job supports and local business grants: $1.9 million
This funding would be spent in two ways:
- Job skills training ($1.3 million). Programs that offer employment skills and training for Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. These would be demand-driven group programs that include in-person training, coaching, or career exposure. TCHC and Tridel want to make sure as many career pathways as possible are available. Funding would support programs in a variety of industries, such as but not limited to construction trades, information technology, culinary arts, etc.
- Support for local businesses ($600,000). These funds will be invested in businesses owned by Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. This includes social procurement, where Tridel and their network buy goods and services from resident entrepreneurs. This may also include capacity-building and support for local business owners, such as subsidizing costs to access spaces like commercial kitchens or studio space needed to create their products or service.
Wages for jobs and employment supports: $13.4 million
This investment is dedicated to hiring from the community, with priority given to TCHC tenants.
$13 million will go directly towards wages for residents who will be employed over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years). Jobs will be with Tridel and their diverse network of trades, suppliers, consultants, and beyond, in pathways like construction, administration, development planning, and more. There will be a range of job opportunities including internships, part-time, and full-time jobs.
$400,000 will support individual residents to access jobs and careers through activities like career exploration events, mentorship opportunities, job-related expenses (e.g., equipment and travel subsidies) or specific training to qualify for a job.
Funding for community initiatives: $3.5 million
Small grants for initiatives in the community that benefit all Regent Park residents will be available over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years).
Every three to five years, the community will be consulted to set social development priority areas for the grants. Priority areas may include youth and seniors’ programs, community safety, mental health supports, food security, community events, and more.
TCHC and Tridel will create a process where different Regent Park groups can apply for grants for initiatives that address community priorities.
Package 2: Focus on educational scholarships
Through our community engagement process, the desire for scholarship programs emerged as a top priority. This package provides the largest investment in educational scholarships for TCHC tenants.
New community space(s): $4.5 million
This investment will be put towards the outfitting of new community spaces created as part of Phases 4 and 5. This includes the design, furniture and equipment for those spaces to make them functional. It will also subsidize operating costs like utilities and maintenance for a few years. The investment could go towards a single space or multiple smaller spaces across different parts of Phases 4 and 5.
The $4.5 million investment would support approximately 12,500 square feet of new community space(s).
Educational scholarships for TCHC tenants: $3.8 million
This investment will provide scholarships for TCHC tenants in Regent Park who are ages 17 and older. Scholarships will be available for part-time or full-time post-secondary studies.
The $3.8 million investment would equal approximately 700+ scholarships over the course of the revitalization.
Job supports and local business grants: $1.6 million
This funding would be spent in two ways:
- Job skills training ($1 million). Programs that offer employment skills and training for Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. These would be demand-driven group programs that include in-person training, coaching, or career exposure. TCHC and Tridel want to make sure as many career pathways as possible are available. Funding would support programs in a variety of industries, such as but not limited to construction trades, information technology, culinary arts, etc.
- Support for local businesses ($600,000). These funds will be invested in businesses owned by Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. This includes social procurement, where Tridel and their network buy goods and services from resident entrepreneurs. This may also include capacity-building and support for local business owners, such as subsidizing costs to access spaces like commercial kitchens or studio space needed to create their products or service.
Wages for jobs and employment supports: $13.4 million
This investment is dedicated to hiring from the community, with priority given to TCHC tenants.
$13 million will go directly towards wages for residents who will be employed over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years). Jobs will be with Tridel and their diverse network of trades, suppliers, consultants, and beyond, in pathways like construction, administration, development planning, and more. There will be a range of job opportunities including internships, part-time, and full-time jobs.
$400,000 will support individual residents to access jobs and careers through activities like career exploration events, mentorship opportunities, job-related expenses (e.g., equipment and travel subsidies) or specific training to qualify for a job.
Funding for community initiatives: $3.5 million
Small grants for initiatives in the community that benefit all Regent Park residents will be available over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years).
Every three to five years, the community will be consulted to set social development priority areas for the grants. Priority areas may include youth and seniors’ programs, community safety, mental health supports, food security, community events, and more.
TCHC and Tridel will create a process where different Regent Park groups can apply for grants for initiatives that address community priorities.
Package 3: Focus on job skills training and local business development
This package focuses on helping Regent Park residents take their employment and business talents to the next level, with priority given to TCHC tenants. It provides the largest amount of funding for job skills training and supporting businesses owned by residents.
New community space(s): $4.5 million
This investment will be put towards the outfitting of new community spaces created as part of Phases 4 and 5. This includes the design, furniture and equipment for those spaces to make them functional. It will also subsidize operating costs like utilities and maintenance for a few years. The investment could go towards a single space or multiple smaller spaces across different parts of Phases 4 and 5.
The $4.5 million investment would support approximately 10,000 square feet of new community space(s).
Educational scholarships for TCHC tenants: $1.8 million
This investment will provide scholarships for TCHC tenants in Regent Park who are ages 17 and older. Scholarships will be available for part-time or full-time post-secondary studies.
The $1.8 million investment would equal approximately 300+ scholarships over the course of the revitalization.
Job supports and local business grants: $3.6 million
This funding would be spent in two ways:
- Job skills training ($2.5 million). Programs that offer employment skills and training for Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. These would be demand-driven group programs that include in-person training, coaching, or career exposure. TCHC and Tridel want to make sure as many career pathways as possible are available. Funding would support programs in a variety of industries, such as but not limited to construction trades, information technology, culinary arts, etc.
- Support for local businesses ($1.1 million). These funds will be invested in businesses owned by Regent Park residents, with priority given to TCHC tenants. This includes social procurement, where Tridel and their network buy goods and services from resident entrepreneurs. This may also include capacity-building and support for local business owners, such as subsidizing costs to access spaces like commercial kitchens or studio space needed to create their products or service.
Wages for jobs and employment supports: $13.4 million
This investment is dedicated to hiring from the community, with priority given to TCHC tenants.
$13 million will go directly towards wages for residents who will be employed over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years). Jobs will be with Tridel and their diverse network of trades, suppliers, consultants, and beyond, in pathways like construction, administration, development planning, and more. There will be a range of job opportunities including internships, part-time, and full-time jobs.
$400,000 will support individual residents to access jobs and careers through activities like career exploration events, mentorship opportunities, job-related expenses (e.g., equipment and travel subsidies) or specific training to qualify for a job.
Funding for community initiatives: $3.5 million
Small grants for initiatives in the community that benefit all Regent Park residents will be available over the course of the revitalization (10-15 years).
Every three to five years, the community will be consulted to set social development priority areas for the grants. Priority areas may include youth and seniors’ programs, community safety, mental health supports, food security, community events, and more.
TCHC and Tridel will create a process where different Regent Park groups can apply for grants for initiatives that address community priorities.
Downloads and flyers
To request this material in an accessible format or for a translated version, contact the Regent Park Revitalization Team by calling 437-231-7874 or email talkregentpark@torontohousing.ca.
For more information
Want more information about the Community Benefits Agreement, the vote, or Phases 4 and 5 of the Regent Park revitalization?
Visit RP4and5.ca (opens in a new tab)Questions?
Contact the TCHC Engagement Team
Phone:
437-231-7874
Email:
talkregentpark@torontohousing.ca