WoodGreen Community Services will be the property manager for five residential properties, providing affordable and secure spaces, such as commercial and live/work studios, for Toronto’s artist community. This management role is on behalf of Artscape Non-Profit Homes Inc. (ANPHI) and ANPHI Affordable Homes Inc. (ANPHIAH).

 

The properties are as follows:

  • Artscape Bayside Lofts, 30 Merchants’ Wharf
  • Residential units at Artscape Weston Common – 31 John St.
  • Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre – 1313 Queen St. West
  • Artscape West Queen West – 900 Queen St. West
  • Residential units at Artscape Wychwood Barns – 5-57 Benson Avenue

 

These properties were previously managed by the non-profit organization Artscape.

WoodGreen is an experienced housing provider

WoodGreen is a specialist with more than 55 years of experience in affordable housing and creating successful tenancies. One thing that sets us apart is our wide range of integrated programs and services such as mental health services, employment programs, affordable child care, financial counselling, and more.

 

WoodGreen has over 85 years of experience serving residents of Toronto and has provided transitional and permanent housing for over 55 years. We own or operate 28 housing facilities in Toronto. We are excited to offer our full range of services, expertise, and the benefit of our close partnerships and deep connections across Toronto to help our tenants to thrive.

 

For additional information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below. You can also use our dedicated email address to send any queries: [email protected].

Locations

In person

Weston Common

Located in Weston Village, Weston Common provides homes for 26 artists and artist-led families, who live and work in affordable units adjacent to the hub.

In person
26 units
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In person

Bayside Lofts

Located on the waterfront, these homes are situated within a larger condominium development.

In person
80 live/work studios for artists and their families
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In person

Wychwood Barns

Located in the Christie and St. Clair neighbourhood, its spaces include artist live/work studios, an event venue with unique architectural appeal, the Peter MacKendrick Community Gallery and office spaces for a range of arts, community and environmental organizations.

In person
26 units of social housing in Wychwood (Barn 1 only)
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In person

Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre

Home to community-based non-profit organizations, an artist-run gallery and private artist residents, this mixed-use facility is a fixture in the Parkdale neighbourhood that provides space for countless arts-based programs and initiatives.

In person
9 units (+ a small commercial hub)
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In person

West Queen West

West Queen West marked Toronto's initial venture into legally zoned live/work spaces for artists, providing secure and sustainable environments, complete with a garden on Crawford Street. Since its opening, the surrounding area has seen considerable changes, yet it still recognized as a thriving arts and cultural community.

In person
22 live/work studios, five work/commercial studios, one gallery, one tenants’ garden (not wheelchair accessible)
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How and why was WoodGreen selected?

    WoodGreen has more than 85 years of experience meeting the UNMET needs of Toronto residents and has provided transitional and permanent housing for over 50 years. As one of the largest non-municipal providers of affordable housing in the city, WoodGreen currently owns and/or manages 28 housing properties in the city. And as one of the leading social services organizations in Toronto, it also offers many programs and services to support its tenants, including community health services, mental health programs, affordable child care, employment programs and more.

  • Are current residential and commercial tenants in these properties at risk of losing their homes?

    Residential tenants have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act that protect their security of tenure. All tenancies – both residential and commercial – at the five properties under ANPHI and ANPHIAHI management are secure.

  • Will the five properties remain dedicated to providing residential tenancies to artists?

    The five properties will continue to house artists through a selection process that identifies incoming residents as such.

  • Who manages the community hub at Wychwood Barns?

    ArtHubs Toronto Inc. manages the community hub and commercial units at Wychwood Barns.

  • What is going to happen to the current staff managing these buildings?

    Some of the current Artscape staff have accepted employment offers to join the WoodGreen team.

  • What are some of the benefits that WoodGreen will bring to the tenants?

    WoodGreen comes with decades of experience owning and/or managing affordable housing properties in the city of Toronto. Even more, it offers a wide range of integrated programs and services to help its tenants to thrive. Some of these include mental health services, employment programs, affordable child care, financial counselling, and more. Also, specifically for senior tenants, WoodGreen offers community health care services, Meals on Wheels, recreational programs and more to help them to stay healthy and live independently for as long as possible.

  • Will rents stay the same?

    The criteria for rent and increases will not change: Rent will be determined based on the same criteria as previously established under Artscape. Rent-Geared-to-Income units will remain as Rent-Geared-to-Income, and the criteria for AMR will remain unchanged.

  • Who do residents contact for maintenance or operational questions?

    Effective January 1st, 2024, maintenance or operational questions during business hours can be directed to WoodGreen, specifically Chelsea Bonan [email protected] or Henry Sun [email protected]

  • After hour emergencies should be directed to our on-call number

    (416) 572 – 3578

  • I have more questions, who can I talk to at WoodGreen?

    • Questions regarding WoodGreen’s management services can be directed to Chelsea Bonan at [email protected]
    • Questions regarding Artscape’s receivership can be directed to Kelly Rintoul at [email protected].
    • Media inquiries for WoodGreen can be directed to Jen Mayville at [email protected]
    • All other questions can be directed to [email protected] or (416) 405-5292.