Today, Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park), Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, and the Honourable Karim Bardeesy and Member of Parliament for Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park marked the advancement of craning and assembly of the City of Toronto’s first affordable housing project delivered through the Public Developer model at 11 Brock Ave.
In 2024, Toronto City Council approved the Public Developer model to accelerate the creation of non-market, affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income residents on City-owned lands. By taking a more direct approach to how City lands are used, setting housing targets that will meet residents’ needs, and expediting development reviews and approvals, the City is using all tools available to build more affordable homes faster.
11 Brock Ave. is being built using innovative prefabricated and mass timber construction, to speed up the construction process and improve sustainability, exceeding the City’s Toronto Green Standard requirements.
Set to be completed in Fall 2026, the development at 11 Brock Ave. will create 42 new rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. All tenants will pay no more than 30 per cent of their income, or the shelter allowance of their social assistance, on rent. Tenants will also have access to a range of wrap-around support services to help improve their housing stability, health and well-being.
Each tenant will have their own private apartment, each with a bathroom and kitchen, plus shared laundry, a communal kitchen and a common programming area. The City has partnered with Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) who will lease the building once completed and provide housing and support services to tenants. PARC has been a part of the Parkdale community for over 40 years, providing support services to residents and operating supportive homes for Toronto residents exiting homelessness and facing mental health challenges.
The City is building more supportive housing to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and has a target of 18,000 new supportive homes approved by 2030.
In addition to the many social benefits, building supportive housing helps us focus on cost-effective solutions instead of costly emergency measures like shelters and hospital stays. On average, supportive housing costs $2,500 a month, whereas month-long emergency shelter and hospital stays cost $7,500 and $14,000, respectively.
Supportive housing helps reduce pressure on shelters and ensure everyone has a warm, safe place to call home.
The property at 11 Brock Ave. was previously owned by the Province of Ontario and was acquired by the City in 2019 for $3.25 million for supportive and affordable housing. In 2023, the project received over $21.6 million in funding from the federal government through the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). The City will also contribute funding and financial incentives to the project including waived fees and property taxes.
The City continues to request the Province of Ontario to commit to providing operating funding for wrap-around support services to be delivered at 11 Brock Ave. This includes renewing a current annual investment of $48 million for another three years to ensure the ongoing stability of support services in more than 3,000 existing supportive homes in Toronto. In addition, the City requires provincial investment of another $16 million annually beginning in 2026 for new supportive housing projects expected to complete construction through 2025-2026.
More information about 11 Brock Ave. can be found on the City’s website.
Quotes:
“This is a first for Toronto, the City’s first-ever affordable housing project built through the Public Developer model and using mass timber construction. At 11 Brock Ave., we are working to build homes faster, greener, and with the supports people need to thrive. With the support of PARC, this will be a place where people not only have a home but also access the services they need for stability and well-being.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“With an evolving housing crisis, we know now more than ever that we need housing types for all Torontonians. At 11 Brock Ave., we are providing people with a safe, stable and supportive place to live creating a stronger community in Parkdale-High Park.”
– Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park), Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee
“Our Government works closely with municipalities to fight homelessness. This vital project, funded by the Government of Canada, will rapidly create 42 units of urgently needed housing for Toronto’s most vulnerable residents — and for those who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Together with the City of Toronto, we’re building a stronger community and a stronger Canada for all.”
– The Honourable Karim Bardeesy and Member of Parliament for Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park
“This is an important milestone for the 11 Brock Avenue development. With the crane going up, we are one step closer to providing 42 new supportive homes at a time when Toronto is facing a severe housing crisis. These homes are more than just apartment units, residents will have access to supports that help them live independently, connect with each other, and participate fully in the community so they do not have to face challenges alone.”
– Barbara Domenech, Executive Director, PARC
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