No Barbed-Wire

Housing advocates dismantle Kingsett fence at 214-230 Sherbourne, social housing now

At the corner of Dundas and Sherbourne, housing advocates dismantled a barbed-wire fence surrounding a vacant property, bringing renewed attention to a long-running demand for social housing in Toronto’s Downtown East.

On October 21, members of 230 Fightback and supporters entered the property at 214–230 Sherbourne Street and used bolt cutters and other tools to remove the metal fence panels. Around 20 to 25 people gathered outside as the action unfolded over approximately an hour and a half.

The action followed the removal of a community photo exhibition installed along the fence during an October 14 event called Claim Our Corner, organized by 230 Fightback, All Saints Church and community partners.

For 230 Fightback, the demand is to see the property used for social housing rather than another condominium development. Although the fence has been dismantled, the property’s future remains unresolved.