The Stop’s Davenport West community is changing at a rapid pace. Thousands of new units are being built. Rents are skyrocketing. Long-time businesses are closing.

As an organization that holds space for those living in poverty, we feel a strong responsibility to enlist residents both new and old in protecting our most vulnerable neighbours.

In late 2018, we worked with four graduate researchers from the University of Toronto’s School of Planning to record the changes brought on by gentrification, and to identify the organizations, small businesses, and local leaders that can act as our neighbourhood allies.

Next, we joined forces with our partners at Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre to organize people with connections to Davenport West, and together, we formally launched as the Davenport Community Coalition (DCC).

The DCC is excited to widen our reach as we mobilize for affordability and positive change. We’ve established a steering committee, begun supervising three University of Toronto placement students for further research, hired two Economic Justice Advocates, and brought together dozens of local residents to collectively plan our next steps.

Do you live, work, or have a connection to Davenport West? If so, the DCC would to love to hear from you!

If you’re interested in learning more, and being part of our community visioning session, come to our next public meeting 6-8pm on Monday, January 27 at 1884 Davenport Road.