There are many things standing in the way of getting affordable housing built in Toronto, like one local BIA that's fighting a new affordable residence planned for their neighbourhood over the loss of a few dozen parking spots.

A letter addressed to Toronto East York Community Council from the Manager of the Ossington BIA was sent to "express concern with the current development plans for 1113-1117 Dundas St. W.," specifically the decision "to NOT maintain the 37 paid parking spaces that are currently in-use" at a Green P parking lot on the site of the proposal.

The site is part of an assembly destined to be turned into a new affordable housing development with 94 units and no accommodations for motorists.

While the letter hails the "innovative development initiative" from CreateTO and acknowledges "affordable housing concerns in our community," it stresses "that the Ossington Strip is very largely a destination driven from visitors from the Greater Toronto Area and internationally."

Disappointing to see the @ossingtonbia trying to stall a 10 storey, 30% affordable, mass timber building on city owned land because of concerns over 37 parking spaces. Stalling the project and adding a parking garage would massively increase the cost to us all. pic.twitter.com/srgLIKaFTW

— Damien Moule (@damienmoule) July 10, 2024

It is the BIA's position that "many visitors do get here daily by car and will need somewhere to park," and claims that "some of our businesses require that there is adequate parking nearby to service their customers, like framing and furniture stores."

The letter argues that removing existing parking "will severely impact their ability to do business."

For the sake of argument, the BIA spans an area well-served by transit with the 505 Dundas West and 501 Queen streetcar routes, as well as the 63 Ossington bus.

In its missive, the BIA issues a "strong request the that development plans be revised to include maintaining the Green P parking spaces with a suggestion that they become underground," citing underground parking incorporated into other public parking redevelopments as a precedent.

However, the letter fails to acknowledge the heavy price tag associated with underground parking, which critics of the stance argue would drive construction costs up to a point where affordable housing is no longer viable.

At today costs not considering other factors that's $5.5-7mill minimum just to replace the parking. Aka a lot of affordable housing. If parking is so important the BIA can go secure it for their members.

— Penguin, Citybuilder (@PinguBuilder) July 10, 2024

Contrasting the BIA's stance, a housing advocacy group sent a letter in support of the project, which would add 94 rental units, including urgently-needed affordable homes in an innovative and eco-friendly mass-timber building.

Luckily we had @callumoa (and more) attending the consultation and writing his first letter of support for @MoreNeighbours. Great job! pic.twitter.com/CCuzn9qPp5

— Damien Moule (@damienmoule) July 10, 2024

Others also argue against the pro-parking stance. One commenter on X writes, "If those businesses need parking, it's their responsibility to provide their own parking. It shouldn't fall on taxpayers or new residents."