Work

Toronto’s Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) Reference Group created the Greater Toronto Non-Profit Community Space Survey which was distributed in 2021-2022. The objectives of the survey and this report are to further understand the current state of community space for organizations including barriers and challenges to accessing spaces, real estate management, and future space needs. Skyrocketing real estate prices and development in urban centres have made it very difficult for community-based organizations to find stable, affordable, accessible and available space across the Greater Toronto Area. With rising real estate costs and redevelopment pressures, limited access to funding and affordable operating spaces, organizations providing critical social infrastructure are now being pushed out of the neighbourhoods that depend on them, and as a result, our society risks losing its “community glue”.  

The survey shows that non-profits in the GTA have experienced increasing demand for their services, but cannot access affordable, long-term, and appropriate spaces (looking at both rental and ownership models) to meet either the existing or increasing demand.  Those with access to space have expressed concerns regarding their abilities to maintain access to these assets, jeopardizing their future operations. The report culminates with a list of recommendations proposed by the SPRE RG members, directly informed by the findings of this survey and based on the wealth of nonprofit sector experience of the group members. In order to tackle the issue of affordability, suitability and stability, we need to leverage existing assets and creative solutions across government and community organizations to make more space available for non-profits to own and create opportunities for affordable, long-term leases. Please take a moment to read our full report.