City of Toronto: Affordable Housing



	Affordable Housing home

	Affordable Housing Committee
	Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Guidelines
	Celebrations
	Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT)
	Reports & research

	Contact us
	Links


		Archived stories
		National Housing Day Symposium Read more... New Affordable Rental Homes officially open Read more... Patricia Avenue homes open Read more... World Habitat Day Read more... Deauville Place official opening Read more... Affordable home ownership celebrated Read more... Affordable housing legacy of Pan Am/Para Pan Games Read more... 87 new homes in Regent Park Read more... YWCA's Elm Centre Officially Opens Read more... National Housing Day Read more.. World Habitat Day in Toronto Read more... New seniors housing Read more.. Affordable housing framework set Read more.. New homes in Etobicoke Read more.. New Aboriginal Housing Read more.. New affordable housing committee Read more.. Affordable Housing videos Read more.. Design Consideration in Developing Alternative Housing Read more.. Green Funding Read more.. HOT progress report Read more.. Faith groups and housing Toronto’s clergy, congregations and volunteers have long been in the forefront of supporting affordable housing and homelessness programs in Toronto. Their legacy is seen across the city – in projects like the Fred Victor Mission providing shelter to the homeless downtown –the Newtonbrook United Church creating rental homes in North York and the Sisters of St. Joseph constructing new homes for first-time purchasers in Scarborough. That dedication and commitment was evident again as members of Toronto’s faith community joined Affordable Housing Office staff at City Hall for ‘Faith in Action - A Dialogue with your City – Opportunities for Creating More Affordable Housing.’ The event was designed to provide directions for future action and some 60 people were on hand to generate ideas and suggestions. PDF of Final Report PDF of Brochure PDF of Flyer, Agenda and Form Affordable Housing Champions Honoured The City of Toronto has honoured 21 Affordable Housing Champions - a dynamic mix of non-profit and private sector developers, large and small, who are building more than 3,000 new affordable rental and ownership homes in the city this year. The 2010 Affordable Housing Champions received the recognition in the form of a decorative hammer and a City scroll during a special awards breakfast prior to the start of the Affordable Housing Committee’s regular meeting. These champions are in the life-changing business and thousands of people have benefited: men, women and children who are doing better at work and school, who are healthier, who see a bright future where none existed before. Media release Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, presented the awards. Photos and names of recipients. View the video of Mayor David Miller’s remarks. Public Invited to Housing Meeting Councillor Ana Bailão, Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, invites the public to participate in the second meeting of her Housing Roundtable on Tuesday, September 13th from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B at City Hall. Members of the public wishing to attend should go to the Street A Reception Desk on the second floor to register and obtain a visitor's pass. Councillor Bailão convened the roundtable of private-sector experts to promote prosperity in the City of Toronto through partnerships, innovation and the creation of housing opportunities during a period of limited government funding. Pan-Am Housing RFQ The province has issued a Request for Qualifications to qualify non-profit and co-operative housing groups for a Request for Proposals to own and operate affordable rental housing in the Pan-Am Games Athlete's Village. . A presentation and questions and answers (#PR217539) can be found here. Please contact Vince Carinci at Vince.Carinci@infrastructureontario.ca with any questions. City celebrates UN World Habitat Day The City of Toronto and Habitat for Humanity Toronto celebrated World Habitat Day, Monday October 4, 2010 with a proclamation and flag-raising. The event took place on the new Green Roof at City Hall. Home ownership opportunities The Village by High Park affordable home ownership development is getting an additional $2.5 million in federal and provincial funding to assist 108 home buyers make down payments. New homes for seniors Construction has begun on 62 new affordable rental homes for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities in east-end Toronto. The development received close to $8 million in funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. New Regent Park homes Four new affordable rental housing buildings that are part of the Regent Park revitalization have been officially unveiled. Stimulus funding update Federal and provincial economic stimulus funding of almost $146 million is assisting in the creation of 1,243 new affordable homes in Toronto. Economic stimulus funding proposals City Council has forwarded to the province six proposals for federal/ provincial economic stimulus funding for affordable housing. Developments approved by the province will contribute to the City's goal of creating 1,000 new affordable rental homes annually. HOT plan endorsed The City of Toronto has a new and comprehensive affordable housing strategy in place following a strong endorsement of the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020 by City Council at its August 2009 meeting. Housing Information Session More than 200 people attended an Affordable Housing Opportunities Information Session April 7 at Metro Hall. The power point presentation and a guide to who does what are now available. 717 Broadview Ave. (former Chester Village) Report The consultants' report on the community consultations about the future of the City-owned property at 717 Broadview Ave. is now available. Senate committee presentation Affordable Housing Office Director Sean Gadon appeared before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which went on to produce In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. Read his presentation here. Houselink Official Opening Houselink Delaware provides 14 one and two-bedroom homes for adults who are recovering from mental illness. The facility, located in a former family home bequeathed to Houselink, provides residents with housing stability and access to support services. Read the media release (PDF). St. Lawrence Forum: Affordable Housing Affordable housing is a powerful positive contributor to the health of Toronto's economy, environment, neighbourhoods and residents. But for some 200,000 families and individuals, affordable housing is a rapidly fading dream. The St. Lawrence Centre Forum series examines this significant issue on Wednesday Nov. 28, starting at 7:30 p.m. Council approves more affordable housing City Council has approved three developments that will provide 68 supportive or transitional affordable housing units and transitional housing projects very low income/no income individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness Tale of Three Cities Forum Focuses on Affordable Housing The City of Toronto took another step toward the creation of a new Affordable Housing Framework with a June 28, 2007 public forum in Council Chambers that drew more than 180 participants. Arts Barns affordable homes (PDF) Artscape celebrated the official groundbreaking of the Green Arts Barns, an $18 million redevelopment of the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns in the St. Clair and Bathurst community. Council approves 800 new affordable homes Affordable Housing - Funding Recommendations Request for Proposals 9155-06-7380 and TCHC Wards 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 35 Pearson building officially opens Federal and municipal officials paid tribute to the significant contribution to affordable housing made by Newtonbrook United Church and the Taiwanese United Church of Toronto at the official opening of the Lester B. Pearson building. The building, located at 45 Cummer Avenue, provides 53 apartments for families, seniors and single people with mixed incomes. Read the media release (PDF). Wigwamen affordable homes officially opened Representatives from Canada's New Government, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto joined guests, tenants and community supporters to celebrate the official opening of the new Wigwamen Waabnong affordable housing project in Scarborough's Malvern community. The building contains 92 affordable and transitional housing units, as well as an integrated place of worship. The $13.38 million project received contributions of over $2.5 million from the federal government's National Homelessness Initiative and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). In addition, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing contributed $809,232 per year through their Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program. Both programs are administered by the City of Toronto, which also provided $2.2 million in grants and loans from its Capital Revolving Fund, along with fee and permit waivers. Read the media release (PDF). Council approves new Aboriginal homes in downtown Toronto Nishnawbe Homes Inc. will purchase and renovate a building at 244 Church St. with funding of $3.89 million from the City of Toronto and the federal and provincial governments. Nishnawbe will assume ownership of the 62-unit property at the end of March, with residents moving in by August, 2007. Federal/provincial support is being made available from the Affordable Housing Program's Toronto Urban Aboriginal Initiative. The City will administer the program and waive property taxes for twenty five years to make rents more affordable. Nishnawbe Homes is a well recognized and highly regarded provider of Aboriginal housing in Toronto. Read the staff report (PDF). Wellesley Central Residences Inc. – Innovative housing supports seniors, people living with HIV/AIDS Federal, provincial and municipal officials joined community agencies for a ground-breaking ceremony November 25, 2006 to celebrate the construction of a first-of-its-kind apartment complex that will provide supportive housing to seniors and people with HIV/AIDS. This $19 million initiative received nearly $4 million from the Government of Canada's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), a component of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI). The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's mortgage loan insurance, also facilitated the financing of this project. With CMHC's mortgage loan insurance, the project benefits from a larger mortgage loan at a lower interest rate than would be possible without insurance. Read the media release (PDF). 264 New Affordable Homes – 333 Sidney Belsey Cr. Residents are expected to begin moving in to River Park Tower, a new 264-unit affordable housing building, by year end. The building is located at 333 Sidney Belsey Cr., near Weston Road and Jane Street. The City of Toronto, through the Affordable Housing Office, is facilitating investments from the three orders of government in the $30.6 million initiative, including $7.5 million under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and $2.2 million in development charge and property tax waivers from Toronto. City seeks bids for 600 new affordable homes The City's Request for Proposal for 600 new affordable homes has now closed. Thank you to those who have responded with proposals. Submissions will be evaluated and recommendations are to be considered by City Council in the spring of 2007. Details of the evaluation process can be found in the RFP document. Affordable housing information session The Affordable Housing Office held an information session on Oct. 30, 2006. Topics included the coming affordable housing RFP and the provincial and federal role in funding. New transitional and supportive homes Representatives from the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto joined guests, tenants and community supporters on Oct. 19 to celebrate the official opening of the new Evangel Hall Mission. The relocated and expanded facility offers 84 transitional and affordable homes and support services for people who are homeless. Official Opening of 232 affordable homes Municipal, provincial and federal officials joined residents Sept. 7 to celebrate the official opening of the affordable housing building at 121 Parkway Forest Drive. Sojourn House – transitional housing builds a future for refugees World Refugee Day (June 20, 2006) was the backdrop for the official opening of 52 new transitional apartments for refugee claimants. Officials from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto, guests, tenants and community supporters celebrated the opening of Sojourn House, which will provide housing and support services to recently arrived refugee claimants. Read the media release. (PDF) Robert J. Smith Apartments celebrate official opening of new seniors residence The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto celebrated the official opening of 111 Kendleton Drive at Robert J. Smith Apartments. This project created 58-units affordable housing for seniors in the City of Toronto under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. By renovating the existing facility to create an inviting and comfortable environment, Toronto Community Housing is working with tenants, labour and community partners toward our goal of healthy communities. Read the media release. (PDF) YWCA Bergamot - affordable housing project begins construction The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto held a sod turning ceremony June 13, 2006 to mark the start of construction on YWCA Bergamot. The project is a 68-unit affordable apartment building with a 62-space early childhood development centre. It will be for women-led families, with priority given to women who have experienced violence. The City of Toronto provided $2.5 million from the Capital Revolving Fund, $400,000 in deferred property taxes and $1.43 million from the Child Care Reserve Fund for the construction and start up of the child-care centre. Read the media release. (PDF) Progress Report on Affordable Homes in Toronto So, what's new in affordable housing? Find out by checking the update on affordable housing presented at the June 15, 2006 meeting of the Affordable Housing Committee. The Progress Report on Affordable Homes in Toronto presentation (PDF 1.2Mb) shows what's been accomplished in the last year and offers examples of upcoming openings and groundbreakings. Status of Affordable Housing and Shelter Initiatives The Status of Affordable Housing and Shelter Initiatives booklet provides a snapshot of emergency shelter beds and housing projects in development and those completed in the City of Toronto, as of June 2006. St. Jude Community Homes - a new supportive housing residence St. Jude Community Homes opened its new 30-unit Milan Street site in downtown Toronto on May 26, 2006. The site contains 29 self-contained bachelor units for residents and a one-bedroom unit for a live-in caretaker. In addition to the private living spaces, the residence also provides a life skills teaching area, meeting room, communal space and a landscaped patio. Read the media release. (PDF) Innovative program connects landlords and housing workers to house homeless people Landlordconnect.ca, a one-year pilot project, is a centralized online resource for landlords and housing help workers in Toronto. The project supports City Council's commitment to ending street homelessness by assisting people to find and keep housing. The program connects landlords and housing help workers who exchange information on private rental units and successfully find homes for homeless or precariously housed people. Read the media release. (PDF) Council approves the Toronto Action Plan for Affordable Housing In February, 2006, Toronto City Council approved key recommendations in a report calling for 1,000 new affordable rental homes in Toronto in 2006. Key elements of the Action Plan include: adopting a comprehensive set of criteria to guide the selection of proposals by Council later this year setting aside specific allocations under the Affordable Housing Program of a minimum of 400 units for non-profit, co-operative and private proponents, 200 units for potential development on City owned sites, and 200 units for Toronto Community Housing initiatives allocating the City site at 60 Richmond Street East to Toronto Community Housing for Regent Park revitalization off-site housing targeting affordable housing proposals that would provide low rents aimed at serving families and individuals on the City's social housing waiting list adopting a local initiatives strategy aimed at locating affordable housing in all wards of the city Read the media release. Toronto housing initiatives win awards Four Toronto housing initiatives have won Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Housing Awards. The awards recognize innovative contributions to improving the affordability of housing. The 2006 awards focused on the theme Best Practices in Affordable Housing. This is the ninth year of awards and the competition is open to the public and private sectors. 973 Lansdowne Avenue transitional housing facility opens doors October 21, 2005 saw the opening of 20 new transitional housing units at 973 Lansdowne Avenue. Adjacent to the Christie Ossington shelter for men, these 20 bachelor units now help formerly homeless men make the transition from shelter life to more stable accommodations. This $1.9-million project, constructed on city land, received $1.28 million from the Government of Canada's Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative, as well as 20 rent supplements worth $157,000 per year from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Both programs are administered by the City of Toronto. The Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre raised over $300,000 and received a $250,000 donation from private citizen Lou Odette, through the United Way. Mark Cullen, President, Weall & Cullen Gardens, provided expertise and financial support to design the gardens. Read the media release. (PDF)