Apply To Live at PAL Toronto
Affordable Housing and Community
PAL Toronto is dedicated to offering affordable housing and fostering a sense of community for professional performing artists and those in related industries. We understand the unique challenges faced by these individuals and strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment.
Units Available
PAL Toronto consists of 205 units located at 110 The Esplanade, and an additional 7 units located at 131 Mill Street. Two-thirds of PAL units are Rent Geared to Income (RGI), and one-third are Market Value. Units consist of bachelor, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom.
Current Housing Wait Times
Due to high demand, the current wait time for bachelor, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units ranges from 7 to 10 years. We are actively seeking solutions to reduce this waiting period.
Future Goals
Our goal is to expand the number of PAL Toronto units in the city's core, aiming for a more reasonable waiting period of 2 to 5 years. Executive Director David Plant is actively engaged in forming a partnership with the City of Toronto's housing providers and establishing affiliations with corporate developers to make this possible.
Eligibility Criteria
PAL Toronto will approve occupancy to applicant households where at least one member is working or has worked, as a professional performing artist, or in an associated occupation in Canada.
A performing artist is an individual who has become established as a performing artist, or in an associated occupation, as evidenced by the following:
Has devoted a substantial portion of their working life to the professional performing arts.
Has received income for their work in the professional performing arts, appropriate to the span of their career.
May have membership in a professional association appropriate to their activity in the performing arts, whose membership or categories of membership are limited under standards established by the association, or is a trade union, or is its equivalent appropriate to their artistic abilities or technical skills.
An associated occupation is an occupation within a corporation, association, guild, or union associated with the professional performing arts communities.
Independent Living Requirement
PAL Toronto is an independent living building. Residents must take care of themselves or arrange for their own care without causing undue disruption to others.
It is an unfortunate reality that availability of affordable housing is at crisis levels. If you need urgent housing, please contact us at admin@paltoronto.org with the subject line "Housing needs - urgent!" we will provide options to help alleviate the pressure.
Application Process
How to Apply:
Market Value Units: Apply using the provided Application Package.
Rent Geared to Income (RGI) Units: In addition to the Application Package, applicants must create an account at MyAccesstoHousingTO.ca.
This site is for all the City’s RGI housing providers, and you can mark off the housing locations you feel are appropriate – e.g. PAL Place
However, as PAL Toronto is a mandated building, you will not be placed on PAL’s waitlist until we confirm your eligibility directly with Access to Housing.
Please Note: you cannot be placed on PAL Toronto’s waitlist without an account with Access to Housing. As this could take several months, please apply immediately for an RGI Account.
Submission Instructions
Email: Send the application form and supporting documents to applications@paltoronto.org.
Mail: Send to PAL Toronto, RAC Office, Suite #333, 110 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 1X9.
Review Process
The Residential Accommodation Committee (RAC) reviews applications monthly, except in August and December. Applicants will be notified of the decision (Approved, Declined, or Additional Information Required).
Waitlist Information
The current wait time for a bachelor, or one-bedroom unit, is between 7 to 10 years. PAL Toronto is seeking viable options to create a shorter time between your application's acceptance and a vacancy.
Responsibilities of Waitlisted Applicants
Once on the waitlist, it is your responsibility to keep your file current and active.
In the event your information is not up to date, and we're unable to get in touch with you, we will move on to the next person on the waitlist.
Rent Geared to Income (RGI) Waitlist
PAL Toronto’s RGI waitlist is managed by the City of Toronto’s Housing Division.
Applicants are listed in order of the date the application is received and approved by the City of Toronto. Please go to MyAccesstoHousingTO.ca for more info.
For RGI applicants, the City's Single Offer Rule applies, allowing one offer of a suitable unit. Refusing the offer results in removal from the waitlist. Re-application is possible with a new application date, starting at the bottom of the list.
Market Value Waitlist
PAL Toronto manages the Market Value waitlist.
Approved applicants are listed in order of the date their applications were received.
Market Value applicants are eligible for two offers of a suitable unit. Refusing both offers results in removal from the waitlist. Re-application is possible with a new application date, starting at the bottom of the list.
For Market applicants listed for a bachelor, one-bedroom or two-bedroom unit, the two-offer rule applies to both preferences. That is, two offers only, whether the offer is for a bachelor, a one-bedroom or two-bedroom unit.