The number of people actively experiencing homelessness in Toronto continues to grow. To respond to the urgent need for more affordable and supportive housing, the City is building a three-storey modular housing building at 185 Cummer Ave., located next to Willowdale Manor.
Set for completion by early 2026, the new housing development will provide rent-geared-to-income homes with supports for seniors and older adults exiting homelessness. The 59 new homes will be private studio apartments, each with a kitchen and bathroom. The building will also include shared laundry facilities, a lounge and dining room, and programming space.
WoodGreen Community Services has been selected to manage the new building and provide supports to future tenants at 185 Cummer Ave. A leading social services agency, WoodGreen has more than 85 years of experience in providing integrated programs such as physical and mental health services, affordable housing, employment support, financial counselling, childcare, seniors and youth programs and more.
Supportive housing is a combination of deeply affordable housing and on-site supports that help people live as independently as possible. Supportive housing can help people stabilize their lives, help them stay housed and positively contribute to communities. Watch this video to learn why supportive housing is so important from the people who live and work there.
Two sites that are part of the City’s modular housing initiative were formally announced on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 and stakeholder and community outreach started the same day. As part of the ongoing community engagement process meeting notices were distributed via Canada Post to more than 1,300 residents in the area starting on February 23, 2021. This is part of phase 2 of the modular housing initiative initially approved by City Council in April 2020, through which Council approved creation of 250 modular supportive homes on City-owned sites in 2020 and 2021, using Council approved criteria to select the sites. City staff were directed by Council to identify and expedite the development of modular supportive housing to alleviate pressures on the shelter system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 9, 2022 City Council directed staff to initiate a municipal zoning by-law amendment process to permit the proposed development. Planning and Housing Committee adopted the final Zoning By-Law Amendment report on April 27, 2022, followed by City Council on May 11. An appeal of City Council’s decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal has since been resolved in the City’s favour, and the City is proceeding with construction of the new homes.
Three community virtual engagement sessions have been completed to provide additional information about the proposed project and answer your questions.
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