Housing Justice Gathering During FIFA Match is Blocked by Police

Housing advocates and frontline workers gathered in Toronto’s Downtown East on June 13 to call for social housing at a long-vacant property on Sherbourne Street, but their planned community gathering was blocked when police prevented access to the site.

The action began with a community meal and rally at Allan Gardens before participants marched to 214–230 Sherbourne Street, a property that has remained vacant for nearly two decades despite ongoing calls for affordable housing development.

Organized by 230 Fightback and supported by housing organizations from across Toronto, the event was timed to coincide with a FIFA World Cup match and aimed to draw attention to what organizers described as misplaced public spending priorities during a worsening housing and homelessness crisis.

Before the march, organizers sent an open letter to KingSett Capital CEO Rob Kumer requesting permission to use the vacant lot for a community watch party during the match. According to organizers, they received no response. When participants arrived at the fenced property, they found a vehicle with tinted windows inside the site. As some organizers attempted to gain access by removing part of the fence, Toronto police officers intervened and prevented entry. No arrests were reported.

Despite being unable to use the property, speakers throughout the afternoon continued to highlight the contrast between vacant land and growing housing needs in the neighbourhood.

“We’re here because we’re taking responsibility for the future of this city,” said Jeff, a member of No Demovictions. “We believe that housing should be built for people so they can afford to live.”

While the planned community gathering on the site never took place, participants said the events of the day underscored an ongoing question facing Moss Park and the Downtown East: why does valuable land remain vacant while thousands of Torontonians continue to struggle to find safe, affordable housing?

As Toronto continues preparing for future mega events, advocates say the debate over housing, homelessness, and public spending is unlikely to disappear from the city’s streets anytime soon.

For more information on this issue, see “The Fight for Housing in Toronto’s Downtown East,” and poster. Video produced by RegentParkTV.