Little Jamaica Fights Back Against Gentrification
For decades, Little Jamaica on Eglinton Avenue West has been home to Afro-Caribbean culture. Local shops, reggae music, and the smell of barbecue have defined the area since the 1950s. But today, many worry that this cultural heartbeat is fading fast.
Over 140 Black-owned businesses have shut down since 2011. This is largely due to the long-running Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction. The project has brought fewer customers and rising rents. “If no one walks into your shop, you can’t pay rent,” said one local. “And when that happens, the landlord shuts you out.”
Toronto’s First Black-Led Land Trust Is Born
In response, local residents came together to take action. They formed Black Urbanism Toronto in 2018. By 2024, they had launched the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust — the first Black-led land trust in Toronto. This project is all about ownership and empowerment.
The trust allows people in the neighborhood to buy land together. That way, they can control who stays, who rents, and what gets built. “It’s about letting Black people lead in their own communities,” said one organizer. “We need to be the ones making decisions that affect our people.”
Affordable Housing and Retail Are the Priority
As new developers move in around the LRT line, prices are going up. That’s why the community pushed for “inclusionary zoning.” This law requires developers to add affordable housing. It also gives Black-owned businesses the first right of refusal to rent nearby shop spaces.
City councillor Josh Matlow helped push these changes through. “If developers agree to work with the community, we’ll support them,” he said. “But if not, we won’t back down. We’re protecting Little Jamaica.”
Walking Tours and a Vision for the Future
The Land Trust is already planning its first board meeting. The goal: to buy property and keep it in the hands of locals. They are also hosting walking tours to keep foot traffic alive and teach others about the area’s history.
These efforts are more than a fight for buildings. They are about preserving a culture, a people, and a legacy. “We rebuilt this area in the ’70s,” said a longtime resident. “We’ve been here. And we’re not leaving.”
