‘Heartbreaking’: Historic Toronto rooming house tenants face uncertain future as Hydro One expansion moves ahead

Tenants of a historic rooming house in downtown Toronto are facing an uncertain future as they scramble to find new homes after learning the property has been sold to Hydro One for an infrastructure expansion. The building at 28-30 Cecil St., located near College Street and Spadina Avenue, has been under threat since August when residents were informed they would need to vacate by November 30.

For University of Toronto student Zaid Arafadh, living in the affordable rooming house is a godsend. "The rent is affordable, which is great for us," he said. "I go to U of T, which is really close by, and even during the winter it’s not a big commute. It’s lovely living here." The 1881-built structure has provided relatively affordable housing in the core of the city, although it is not fully protected under Toronto's heritage designation.

The timeline for the tenants' departure remains unclear, as Hydro One has not yet finalized the sale. While some tenants have been told they may have until the end of the year to leave, the lack of a formal eviction notice under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act leaves many in limbo. Finding comparable housing has proven challenging for those forced to relocate, especially given the scarcity of affordable rental options in the area.

For George Traini of the Baldwin Village Community Association, the loss of 20-25 rooms in the neighborhood could have a significant impact. "These are rooms that are at the low-end cost factor for accommodations, and that’s never a good thing," he stated. Hydro One maintains that the nearly 50-year-old Cecil Transformer Station, located next door, requires upgrades to meet growing electricity demand.

The utility says it explored alternative options but determined the adjacent property does not have sufficient space for the necessary equipment. Despite the push for infrastructure improvements, neighborhood advocates hope Hydro One will work with the community to preserve some of the area's historical character.