TCHC repair backlog will require tax increase, Coun Perks says

It will take an investment of $7.5 billion over the next 30 years to bring Toronto Community Housing properties up to a proper state of repair, according to a report fromThe Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis.

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Mayor John Tory wants to ask senior governments to help cover the costbut Coun. Gord Perks said Wednesday in an interview on CBC Radio's Metro Morningshowthatit's not realistic to expect senior governments to pick up the costs.

"It's been very clear for about 15 years that the federal and provincial governments have no interestin paying for the long-term maintenance and repair of Toronto Community Housing properties," he told host Matt Galloway.

Perks issuggesting a tax increase to cover the repair bills.

"Each time we fail to keep one of these big buildings in shape, people lose their homes."