54 Kensington

In 2016, Kensington Market residents noticed a massive commercial developer buying up several properties on Kensington Ave. While the community got organized, they unfortunately lost the battle for 38 Kensington, which soon turned into a ‘ghost hotel’ (an apartment building used for very short-term rentals, e.g., AirBnb). This has increasingly been a trend with Kensington’s buildings - so many of these ghost hotels are all now popping up all over the 'must-see' and 'hip' neighbourhood.

Kensington Market residents continued to organize, including as Friends of Kensington Market (founded in 2013) where they fight to help people stay in their homes, protecting residents from developers who prioritize profits over people. As they organized against the housing crisis, talking to each other and with other communities across Canada, this work eventually led to the creation of the Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT). KMCLT aims to put control over the community and the neighbourhood in the hands of people, rather than profit motives, with priority given to affordability and helping Kensington residents be able to stay in the neighbourhood. 

Their focus on affordable housing means, with support from the city (particularly Mike Layton) they were able to purchase the building at 54-56 Kensington Ave in 2021 and put it in community hands, all the while fighting against the illegal evictions of 20+ tenants. The building has 12 existing rental units, most of which are now capped at 80% of market rate, and 5 commercial spaces - and can be identified by its iconic Mona Lisa mural. A great webinar is available to continue learning about their neighbourhood organizing, and as of September 2024 there are community bonds available where you can invest directly in a community-owned Kensington Market. 

While the community continues building power, the influences of exploitative economics and gentrification have severely affected Kensington. So many local and longstanding community grocers have been forced out: Oxford Fruit closed recently due to gentrification and rising costs, joining the losses of Castle Fruit, Akram’s Shoppe, Casa Acoreana, and Zimmerman’s Freshmart. Only Augusta Fruit, Sunwah Fruit, Salamanca Bulk Food, and Kensington Fruit remain. 

These losses show why the work of the land trust is so important, and intersects with Mazon Canada’s work, of building food security, food sovereignty, and just keeping food affordable for people. Imagine a world where the Community Land Trust governed their own local neighbourhood grocery stores!

Discussion questions:

• Which community establishments, institutions, and restaurants have you seen close down in your neighbourhood? Why might they have closed?

• Are there any restaurants, grocers, farmers, or food producers to whom you have a personal connection? Does eating their food feel any different? If so, why might that be?

• When we stay in a residential place as a tourist, how might we prevent our visit from negatively affecting local residents' ability to afford and live in the place they call home?

Bibliography:

Ahsan, S. (2020, July 3). Kensington Market’s beloved Oxford fruit closing after 25 years - Now magazine. NOW Toronto.

CBC/Radio Canada. (2021, April 8). City Council votes to give $3M to land trust to keep Kensington market building as affordable housing. CBC News.

History & Governance. History & Governance - Kensington Market Community Land Trust. (n.d.).