@krissydiggs

After I moved to Japan I really realized how zoning laws are really hurting America. Being able to own a business and live in the same space really changes the game on what you are able to do to generate business. In America you have to pay so much money for rent and also have a home to have a business. But in Japan if you can afford to one one building, you can make a business on the bottom and a home on the top. And flourish. Not only that, you make business accessible to a lot more people.

@isshumawatte

Canada is weirdly against commercial shops on the first floor of apartment buildings, whereas it's the norm in everywhere else in the world. Places like Kensington Market is where people actually enjoy going to and living nearby.

@eddybarber-rozema9112

I was born and raised in Kensington Market and it's been disheartening to watch all the shops change especially after covid. So interesting to learn about this though. maybe if I move back home I could get involved! I'd hate to see my neighborhood be destroyed by gentrification

@tranquil2706

I wrote a dissertation on community land trusts.  Didn’t make a splash in the US, but seems to have aroused interest in other countries, based on the scholars who contacted me.  Glad to see this happening in Canada.

@chemariz

The key is "Community". People need to learn that individualism only benefits the big corporations. In housing, in politics, agriculture, and everything.

@kbarracuda

I’ve lived in Toronto for only 5 years and honestly I’ve been shocked at how quickly Kensington market became more gentrified after the pandemic. A lot of places that were small grocers are now coffee shops or dispensaries. It’s good to hear there are efforts to slow it down.

@brandonpeniuk

I love how you covered all aspects of gentrification. I lived a couple blocks from Kensington Market a decade ago. I loved Kensington because there were basically ma-and-pop shops and independent retailers that sold terrific foods. I also love vintage clothing, so there were a lot of clothing stores. If you need a Halloween costume, check; if you need an empanada or fresh avocados, check; if you need a delicious cup of coffee, check. The community would not be better with a Canadian Tire, a Walmart, or a McDonald's in the neighbourhood. Keep it local!

@abdulmohammed5461

I am from Harlem NYC and lived in Broadway Housing Communities almost my whole life. it’s a Non profit that does a similar thing with 99-year leases focusing on families and struggling people and combining art, education, and affordable housing. it’s tough in NY but it’s definitely a diamond in the rough. We need to organize this kind of work all over America and work to reinstate displaced families

@beylethdirons2160

Proof that local public ownership is better than private ownership, full stop.

@no_mercy225

replacing diverse shops with generic big brands? could explain why ppl are suddenly blaming immigrants for issues that have persisted for decades, big corporations are definitely behind the push of this narrative

@baronjutter

Land trusts are nice, but ultimately we need to simply allow places like Kensington market to form by-right.  Zoning keeps new ones from naturally forming and shifting around as they have historically in cities.

@icomefromcanadia2783

The easy answer to both protecting popular areas like Kensington Market and helping making more affordable housing is to simply look at WHY these old neighbourhoods are popular and fix our zoning. These communities are popular because they're built like exactly that...communities. Walkable and with less zoning restrictions, allowing mixed use and little to no absurd setback and side space requirements, and loosening these zoning laws across the board instead of just small areas one at a time as that just increases the values of those small areas.

UK style terraced/row housing and similar styles like those in old Toronto neighbourhoods, are the ideal way to go for single family homes. Way more density, yet with street facing communities, back alley parking where needed, getting cars off main streets, and still maintaining non-strata/HOA private ownership. Along main streets mixed use mid-rise rental apartments and condos are ideal. 

You should be able to do with your property what you wish, with very little restrictions, and if you don't own the property, you don't get a say. NIMBYism and red tape has run amok in Canada.

@mikekitterhing1618

They should rename them “Community Land Investment Trusts” or C.L.I.T ‘s for short. Then nobody would be able to find them .❤

@KabochaOu

I literally wrote my thesis on community land trusts (and against zoning) and I grew up hanging out in Kensington. I don’t live in Toronto anymore so I didn’t know there was a CLT being developed but this makes me so happy!!

@janinebean4276

This is amazing! Putting the land back in the hands of the community, not developers, is incredible. 
Maybe another way to acquire land would be for people to leave property to the trust in their wills!

@gmg9010

A Walmart there would absolutely ruin the look more over the community.

@dc2guy2

I've been obsessed with Community Land Trusts and Hosuing Co-ops for the past year, this video was the clearest explainer of how they work I've seen so far!

@AlleyKatzTV

Looking forward to your role on the BC Housing Board! You're the one that can change things for the better in Vancouver!

@MaximilianFischer497

One potential solution to address gentrification is through strategic investment. By focusing on value-growth stocks in gentrifying areas, investors can help revitalize neighborhoods while generating returns. This approach can support local businesses and community initiatives.

@leobethge6002

Thank you community land trusts for maintaining our eclectic neighborhood s.