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CabbagetownSami Siva for The Globe and Mail

On Prospect Street in Cabbagetown sits an empty house; a front window boarded up, a piece of wood covering the spot where its glass address plate once sat. In this up-and-coming inner-city neighbourhood, where homes can sell for a million dollars, this Toronto Community Housing Corporation property stands out, vacant since a fire in early 2007.

It is the most obvious example of what some locals say are a number of inadequately cared for TCHC houses in the neighbourhood. Some are in need of a paint job, others have decaying wood window sills and many have brick pads instead of front gardens.

Neighbours argue this dilutes the historical quality of the area, which contains one of the largest concentrations of Victorian-era houses in the world.

"You try and preserve the character of the street, you don't want to lose that," said Rollo Myers, vice-chair of the Cabbagetown Heritage Advisory Committee.

Citing city data gleaned from freedom of information requests, the committee says there are 50 TCHC properties within a few blocks of Prospect Street, with a total assessment value over $30-million. In 2008, it says, the city spent $11,925 on capital maintenance for them, which works out to roughly $238 per house.

By comparison, area homeowner Sean Campbell says he spends as much as $15,000 a year to keep up his house. "It's a significant commitment to have a heritage property," he said.

The TCHC could not immediately comment on the residents' assertions about the Cabbagetown properties Thursday evening.

But while the TCHC may be tempted to sell such high-value properties, committee members say that's not necessarily needed: They just want the agency to set an example when it comes to preserving this unique slice of the city.

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