Briefing Note
DATE: July 14, 2016
TOPIC:Mavety
PURPOSE: To outline key issues in the Mavety area of Toronto
BACKGROUND:
Among the 72 neighborhoods that make up the geography of the Toronto Central LHIN, there are several that have been identified as considerably underserviced compare to the rest of the population. In 2015, the LHIN announced its intention nto plan and implement hubs and new models of community based service delivery in targeted high priority neighbourhoods across the City. Mavety in the Central West part of Toronto, was idenitied as one of these neighbouroods.
Prior to this, in 2012 the Mavety neighbourhood began self organizing. The Junction Commons Project (JCP) was created in 2012 by Junction residents to engagethe community in a shared vision for the former local police station at 209 Mavety Street which was laying vacant.JCP envisioned repurposing it into a shared community space that would support all residents and promote more effective and efficient provision of integrated local health and social services. JCP has met with organizations aligned with the project’s four pillars – health, food, arts and community – who are interested in being a major tenant at 209 Mavety; one of which is The Four Villages Community Health Centre.
In 2013, JCP conducted a Feasibility Study which showed strong community interest and energy for a welcoming place where healthy lifestyles, healthy minds and healthy relationships intersect.
209 Mavety ( a former police station) was declared surplus by the City of Toronto and has been designated for community use. The City approach the TC LHIN in 2015 who at that time was exploring a “health hubs strategy”, to provide insights into how the space might be used. No commitment was given by the LHIN or any HSP regarding leasing or occupying that site.
In a recent letter to the Premier, the TCLHIN, the Minister of Health and LTC and the Special Advisor to the Premier on Community Hubs, Karen Pitre, several community agencies, local and provincial politicians, local health and social services agencies, supported having The Four Villages CHC as a foundational agency at the Mavety site that would also contribute to the vision articulated by the Junction Commons Project.
CURRENT STATE:
The Four Villages CHC, with LHIN endorsement, is planning to develop a Capital Submission for 209 Mavety. This will allow for enhanced primary care service to the neighbourhood, and it will also lay the foundation for the gradual development of a larger community hub at the site.
The CHC has ben in discussions with OTN regarding in making innovative use of proven telemedicine technology to create a virtual hub to access a range of health and social services access. As well, the local hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre has indicated interest in making use of the hub to extend their services in the community which would foster vertical integration of health care services in West Toronto. The CHC has also had discussion with the MP for the area. The MP has conveyed he would look to secure federal capital/infrastructure funding for redeveloping the Mavety site should such federal funds become available.
NEXT STEPS:
- TCLHIN conveys support in principle for the relocation of the Four Villages CHC to a new site/209 Mavety
- Four Villages provides timely Capital Submission per standard processes
- TCLHIN provides full support for Capital Submission seeking to fast track approval
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