Dignity, Not Density

It was during an Aurora Cares, Housing For All committee meeting that one member casually mentioned, "I sent in a freedom of information request." This simple statement piqued my curiosity, prompting me to anxiously wait for might unfold from this request.  I have heard of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, but never actually seen one.  I gotta admit, I was pretty excited to learn more… but I played it cool.   

You see, after the shocking decision to halt the Men's Emergency and Transitional Housing project in Aurora, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. What discussions had taken place behind closed doors? What data had informed the decision-makers? As a concerned citizen, I felt I had a right to know.  I was proud one of our members knew how to navigate the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). This powerful piece of legislation gives us, the public, the right to access government-held information. It's like having a skeleton key to the filing cabinets of our local government – with some reasonable limitations, of course. 

They had just unlocked a powerful tool of democracy

A few weeks later, the same members forwarded us the response from the FOI.  Little did I know, they had just unlocked a powerful tool of democracy.  The subject line read: " FW: FOI 24-037 - Records Release."  It was a 100 page document, I definitely needed to set aside some time to give it a good read.  The response to this FOI request might just shed some much-needed light on the room where it happens.  

 

So what did I learn...  Density: A Red Herring in the Housing Debate 

As arguments flew back and forth during the infamous and late night Public Planning Meeting in the spring of 2024, one word kept surfacing: density. "It's too dense for the area," the Mayor and some councilors insisted. "The number of units is excessive for the zoning." But as I sat there, a thought kept nagging at me: Does density really matter when we're talking about saving lives?  Why are we hearing about this now, for the first time after several years of expensive planning?   

Let's break this down.  The land at 14452 Yonge Street is zoned for cluster residential use. Typically, this zoning is used for single-family homes.  But here's the kicker – it also allows for special needs housing, which is exactly what the proposed shelter would be.  Our Official Plan recognizes this type of housing is different.  

It operates differently than a standard residential development

Now, picture this: A cluster of houses, each with multiple bedrooms, potentially housing families with children. Compare that to a shelter with individual rooms for men trying to get back on their feet. Which scenario actually puts more strain on local resources? The truth is, density becomes a moot point when we're dealing with emergency housing. These aren't permanent residences. They're lifelines, temporary havens for those who have nowhere else to turn. The men who would occupy these units aren't looking to settle down and raise families. They're looking for a chance to rebuild their lives.  Moreover, the concept of density in urban planning is typically tied to concerns about infrastructure strain, traffic congestion, and neighborhood character. But a transitional housing facility operates differently than a standard residential development. Its occupants often don't have cars, reducing traffic concerns. They're not permanent residents, easing worries about long-term strain on local services.  As I left the meeting that night, I couldn't help but feel that "density" had become a convenient red herring – a seemingly objective measure to mask deeper, unspoken concerns. 

I still walk my dog, Target at 14452 Yonge Street.  The quiet stretch of Yonge Street seemed to whisper of potential – potential to transform lives, to offer hope, to make Aurora a more compassionate community.  Isn't that what truly matters? Not how many units per acre, but how many lives we can touch, how many second chances we can offer?  In the grand scheme of things, when we're talking about providing shelter to those in desperate need, does density really matter at all?   

I am glad our members put through an FOI request, I learned the objection of density was never put forward by town staff or the Mayor.  And why would it, it’s not a real issue.  They all believed in the dignity in this project – compassion and smart planning over density.  Dignity matters most, density less. 

 

Author:  Adam Mobbs

 Other blogs in this series:

The Room Where It Happens - our invitation to The Leksand Room in Town Hall

Aurora Cares, Housing For All - how it all started

Hope Thrives In Aurora - a dog, a park, a sign… of hope

His Name is William - a dog, a walk, and a tent

Join the group Aurora Cares, Housing For All