Here are some of the lesser-known resources and programs that are available from the City of Toronto:
1. The ones that relate to individual residents:
- Find Employment: support and resources to help find employment in Toronto
- Find Housing: resources to help you access a range of housing options across the housing continuum
- Seniors Health & Home Care Services: resources relating to healthcare, medications, medical equipment, dental care, eye care, dementia care, and services to continue living at home. This includes the Homemakers and Nurses Services Program, which provides homemaking services to individuals who require assistance with household activities and who have limited financial resources.
- 311 Toronto: a 24/7 service for non-emergency issues and information
- Toronto’s Budget: publicly available budget and financial plans
- Green Home Rebates: incentives for eco-friendly home improvements
- Community Gardens: Spaces for residents to grow food
- Pothole Repair Tracking: report and monitor potholes
- Bike Share Toronto: city-run bike-sharing program
- Accessibility Services: resources for people who experience disabilities
- Environmental Grants and Incentives: incentives to green your home, business or community
- Toronto Animal Services: pet adoption, lost and found pets, and animal control
- Managing Rain and Melted Snow: updates and resources on improving the health of our waterways and reducing basement flooding
- Heritage Preservation: what you need to know if you are restoring or planning to restore an historic building
- Emergency Preparedness: learn how to be emergency ready, as well as what to do during and after an emergency
- Parks & Recreation: discover a wide range of programs, activities, and spaces available in your community
- City of Toronto Archives: find historical records and documents
- Community Funding: short-term funding for not-for-profit, grassroots and resident-led groups to design and lead community-based projects
2. The ones that relate to entrepreneurs/businesses:
- New Businesses & Startups: get guidance in person from a small business advisor at one of the Small Business Enterprise Centres
- Business Improvement Areas: Toronto has the largest number of BIAs of any urban centre in the world, representing 45,000 members
- Business Improvement Areas: Toronto has the largest number of BIAs of any urban centre in the world, representing 45,000 members
- Open Data Portal: open data from City divisions and agencies
- City Planning and Development: policies and design guidelines, current applications, zoning by-laws, planning studies, and more
- StreetARToronto: program supporting street art and murals
- Filming in Toronto: one-stop concierge service to co-ordinate all location filming and industry development support
- Business Support: the City of Toronto provides financial assistance, online training and other resources in partnership with government and private sector partners
Are there any other programs and/or resources from the City of Toronto that you're familiar with, and which are not widely known by the public (whether individuals or entrepreneurs/businesses)?