The undersigned student organizations of York University urge President Lenton and the Board of Governors to address the severity of the affordable on-campus housing crisis, and to put land aside for the creation and development of affordable housing that is inclusive, affordable and sustainable through the implementation of the ASHOY model. York University will greatly benefit from affordable housing and the ASHOY (Affordable and Sustainable Home Ownership at York) model, which addresses the need for research, accessibility, affordability, climate action, equality, and adherence to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The benefits of the ASHOY model for York University include: enhanced reputation, better retainment of talent among staff, faculty and students, and furthering the Academic Plan’s vision for implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is crucial that York University allocate land to build affordable, sustainable and accessible housing as soon as possible, while concurrently offering curriculum, internship and experiential learning opportunities during and after the development process. As per the York Act of 1965, the ASHOY model will enhance and improve “the advancement of learning and the dissemination of knowledge; and the intellectual, spiritual, social, moral and physical development of its members and the betterment of society.” Furthermore, York University as a public educational institution has the unique opportunity to positively impact the climate emergency, socio-economic inequalities and affordable housing crises at York University and its surrounding communities.

 

The affordable housing crisis affects everyone - faculty, staff and students alike. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board recently released an article stating: “The average price for homes sold in Canada’s largest city last year hit $930,000.” On top of that, the pandemic has severely impacted our economy and our livelihood - with low-income and racialized residents being the most disproportionately impacted demographic. It is clear that students, staff and faculty are suffering, and the surrounding community is not immune to this systemic issue - housing is a widespread issue which must be addressed and resolved. The ASHOY model seeks to address systemic issues related to income and inequality for the York Community. York University Heights is composed of a majority (69.4%) of racialized individuals (Toronto, 2018). After age-standardization, seventy-eight percent (78%) of people who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 identified as racialized.(Toronto, 2021). In short, York University residents and their surrounding communities are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than the rest of Toronto, as race and income are factors which exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities, thereby compounding the impact of the pandemic (Freeman, 2020).

 

According to the York University Affordable Housing Committee (n.d.) affordable housing buildings in Toronto at York University have not been constructed since the 1990’s as a result of cuts made to the affordable housing program budget. The Harry Sherman Crowe Housing Co-op was one of the last cooperative housing complexes built at York University. Although new units are expected to be constructed by 2024, they lack the affordability, sustainability and accessibility which is of utmost importance for York University area residents. York University needs to better address the housing needs of students, staff and faculty by conducting research as well as applying funding towards creating more affordable housing units at the University. The Academic Plan has made a commitment to further the UN SDGs on York’s campus - ASHOY directly addresses all of the UN SDGs by establishing the material infrastructure for safe, sustainable, affordable and accessible housing solutions, while producing positive long-lasting systemic change.

 

President Lenton and Governors – the pandemic has impacted us all, but York University has the opportunity to inspire, engage and implement long-lasting change which will benefit the university - students, community members, staff and faculty alike.

 

Your community - the York U Community - is here to help you make a lasting and tangible difference for many generations to come.