St James Town

St. James Town lies in the heart of Toronto , nestled between Parliament, Sherbourne, Wellesley and Bloor. It is Canada’s most densely populated community and one of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods. As an incredibly culturally diverse community, St. James Town is often thought of as “the world within a block.” Despite the neighbourhood’s proximity to Toronto’s downtown, it remains underserved, isolated and vulnerable.

The need for Uforchange

Neighbourhood facts:

• Informal estimates to account for hidden and part-time residents, based in part on information from landlords, have suggested as many as 32,000, while Stats Canada estimates some 16,000 residents.
• The community has some18 towers that house the residents on a 32-acre site, making it the most densely populated area in Canada.
• There are estimates of over 4,000 youth living in this small urban community.
• Incomes (41% below city average), high unemployment (12%) and social assistance rates constitute the socio-economic context for this area(Statistics Canada 2003).
• In 2001, 41.1% of its residents had come to Canada within the previous five years (almost double the City average of 23%).
• Health differences between affluent and poor neighbourhoods are significant: social determinants of health— poor housing, environment, lack of access to heath and social services, adequate food, transportation and recreational facilities—have a significant impact on health and health disparities (Marmot and Shipley 1996; Evans et al 1994; Wilkinson1996).
• More than 85% of the pupils in the local junior public school have English as a second language, representing around 50 language groups. According to the principal of Rose Ave. PS, the TDSB found that the two local primary schools have the most diverse populations in Toronto.