Lester B. Pearson Place – An Affordable Housing Project by NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes
The building is named in honour of Rt. Honourable Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister of Canada, 1963 – 1968). Pearson was born April 23, 1897 in the Newton Brook parsonage during the time when his father Rev. E. A. Pearson was the minister of Newton Brook Methodist Church). The affordable homes are located on land that belongs to the formerly named Newtonbrook United Church, which is now known as Cummer Avenue United Church near the intersection of Yonge St and Cummer Ave.
In the 1980’s when condo builders began to redevelop the Willowdale neighbourhood resulting in a loss of local affordable housing (specifically the razing of Newtonbrook Court, a low-rise rental building), members of the then Newtonbrook United Church advocated for an extension of eviction dates and did their best to help re-locate neighbours and fellow church members. In 1992, the Affordable Housing Committee was formed (as a sub-committee of Outreach). Only when Evelyn Robertson accepted the role of chair did concrete action supplement the church’s advocacy.
An article in the New York Times on July 24, 2001 convinced many members of the congregations that they could create change in their community. They announced the intention of Newtonbrook United Church (NUC) and the Taiwanese United Church in Toronto (TUCT) to build affordable housing on their existing parking lot. The project was driven by Sophie Lin and Evelyn Robertson.
NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes Corporation is independent of The United Church of Canada and was incorporated in 1994 to fulfill the desire of NUC and TUCT congregations to help address the desperate need for affordable housing in the City of Toronto. NUC-TUCT received charitable status in 2001 (allowing the issuance of charitable tax receipts to donors). The late Jim Peterson, Willowdale’s MP, was invaluable in assisting with this process.
The United Church of Canada leases the land on which the building sits to NUC-TUCT for a nominal amount of rent and the allotment of parking spaces for church use. The lease began August 1, 2004 and will expire on July 31, 2044.
Ontario MPP for Willowdale, David Young, offered NUC-TUCT the opportunity to be a pilot affordable housing project, which it quickly accepted. Thereafter there were many, many meetings with all departments at the City of Toronto, with the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada. NUC-TUCT also gave a multitude of presentations to churches, foundations, corporations and individuals to raise support and awareness of the project.
The cost of the project was in excess of twelve million dollars (in 2005 currency). Professionals donated time, grants were awarded, churches and individuals donated. Funding goal were reached through generous gifts, plus no-interest loans, and an interest-bearing commercial mortgage. Lester B. Pearson Place is an excellent example of how governments can work with community organizations to meet the needs of the community.
NUC-TUCT’s mission statement is “To provide affordable mixed housing that recognizes the needs of the community. To operate these homes in a caring manner, providing a dynamic and flexible environment in which people can live with dignity and contribute to the greater community.”
Construction began in February, 2005 and was completed in 2006. The first residents moved in on July 1, 2006 and a few of those original tenants remain in 2026.
Community First Developments Inc. accepted the role of management and continues to do an excellent job managing the building today.
The foundation was poured beside the historic building of Newtonbrook United Church, newly named Cummer Avenue United Church in the mid 1990’s when Newtonbrook United Church amalgamated with the Taiwanese United Church of Toronto.
NUC-TUCT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors which meets monthly to monitor building needs and maintenance and to ensure fiscal accountability. Also, the Board ensures the organization operates within the bounds of the legal agreements with the City and the Province. From the very beginning the members of the Board have been dedicated to ensuring that residents can be proud to call Pearson Place home.
At the official opening held on May 11, 2007, (attended by representatives of all levels of the United Church, all levels of government, corporate and individual donors), Evelyn Robertson, past-President of NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes said:
“We were very pleased to welcome our new tenants on July 1st of 2006 and we continue to look forward to many years of seeing the children grow and the families enjoy coming home to Lester B. Pearson Place. We have been able to provide housing for 53 households and as the Board of NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes Corporation we have raised over $ 946,000.00 towards our target of $1Million. We appreciate the support of so many donors who have helped to make Lester B. Pearson Place a reality.”
The present board members, Jim Dillane, Harry Ort, Alexander Henderson, Heather Miller, Francis Lindayen, Janet Love, Craig McRae, Irene Carriere, and Jesse James echo these sentiments and are thankful to our donors who continue to support Lester B. Pearson Place affordable housing.
NUC-TUCT still manages a sizable mortgage and needs to meet the increasing cost of ongoing maintenance to Pearson Place.
If you can help to support safe affordable housing, please donate directly to NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes, 45 Cummer Avenue, Toronto, M2M 0A1, or by leaving a cheque payable to NUC-TUCT Non-Profit Homes at the Cummer Avenue United Church office. All donations receive a charitable tax receipt.
Board Members will be happy to answer your questions and speak with you about Pearson Place.
Lester B. Pearson Place
45 Cummer Ave. North York, ON
M2M 2E4
email: admin@nuc-tuct.ca
(416) 491-4346