A group of advocates in Toronto is proposing that a row of 10 vacant upscale homes in a north Toronto neighbourhood be temporarily turned into homes for low-income families or refugees rather than remain empty. These homes have been sitting unoccupied for about a year after being purchased by a developer that plans to demolish them and build a 34-storey residential tower, but the city has not yet granted necessary permits, leaving the properties in limbo. The proposal would involve conducting minor repairs and cleanup with city support, and then transferring use to a social housing agency which would operate as landlord and select families to live in the homes, with collected rent going back to the developer.  

Supporters of the idea argue it could provide temporary shelter to families in need, including refugees, while the development project waits for approvals, but there is uncertainty around whether the developer is interested and how legal and tenancy issues (like eviction when demolition eventually begins) would be handled. The developer has not responded to inquiries from CBC Toronto about the plan.  

Source: CBC News