In November 2019, after years of community organizing and advocacy, residents in Toronto’s west end won a historic $17 million community benefits settlement with the developers of the public school lands at the southwest corner of Bloor Street and Dufferin Street. Led by the volunteer community group Build A Better Bloor Dufferin (BBBD) with support from two affordable housing nonprofits, local elected officials, countless community members, and several local organizations, the settlement provides funds for creating and preserving both affordable housing and community and cultural spaces in Davenport - Ward 9 in the City of Toronto.

The settlement has been used to form two trusts, with $2 million of these funds directed specifically to preserve spaces used by local community, cultural, and arts organizations in Ward 9. In 2022 two members of BBBD co-founded and incorporated the Community & Cultural Spaces Trust to steward these funds. The housing funds are managed by a separate trust called Community Affordable Housing Solutions. 

Our story would not be possible without the broad support of residents and community organizations in Toronto’s Bloor Dufferin neighbourhood. We are proud that CCST started with neighbours and local organizations who welcome equitable and inclusive development. We value Ward 9’s current diversity, affordability, and access to arts and culture. We are committed to leveraging the $2 million we started with to address Toronto’s rapid loss of affordable spaces for arts and culture, social services and community building.