Today, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) joined representatives from Woodbourne, Neighbours Community Homes and Le Théâtre français de Toronto, to break ground on a new community-focused development that will bring more than 400 new mixed-income rental homes on the Danforth, along with a permanent new home for Toronto’s French-language theatre, Le Théâtre français de Toronto.
Located at 1111 and 1117 Danforth Ave., the new mixed-income community will include affordable, deeply affordable and market rental housing through two connected developments. As a purpose-built rental building, 1117 Danforth Ave. will provide a range of housing options, including 27 rental replacement homes and 81 new homes, 40 affordable homes and 41-rent controlled homes. Right next door, the new home for Le Théâtre français de Toronto will be located at the base of 1111 Danforth Ave.
Non-profit housing expands opportunities for Torontonians with City funding
The development at 1117 Danforth Ave. will offer current and future tenants of Neighbours Community Homes a transitional pathway in the housing continuum, intentionally blending residents with a range of incomes and supportive needs within one community. The building will be operated by Neighbours Community Homes, a non-profit housing provider with approximately 50 years of experience in the housing sector. Occupancy is expected to begin in 2029.
In alignment with the City of Toronto’s housing goals, the project is being supported with more than $13 million in capital funding and more than $14 million in incentives provided through the Rental Housing Supply Program (RHSP). The RHSP supports the creation of a range of new rental homes that advance the City’s HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. This project is one of 50 affordable housing projects currently under construction across Toronto that will create 14,000 new homes, including more than 4,000 affordable rental homes for current and future generations.
Leveraging the City’s tools to expedite approvals and build homes faster
The developments at 1111 and 1117 Danforth Ave. are strategically linked to create a mixed income community and leverage the strength of the non-profit and private sectors.
Woodbourne’s development at 1111 Danforth Ave. has created a unique opportunity to redevelop the existing affordable housing operated by Neighbours Community Homes next door. By aligning the design of the two buildings, the projects can share infrastructure and lower the cost of construction.
The City’s Development Review team worked closely with Neighbours Community Homes and developer Woodbourne to quickly secure development approvals for the not-for-profit housing project and match the construction timelines of the private development. This tight co-ordination enabled the two projects to proceed together, reducing costs and helping deliver homes faster.
A mixed-income community enhanced by cultural amenities through partnership
Located prominently on Danforth Avenue, this development is the result of a creative collaboration between the City and multiple partners working to revitalize the main street. Through a partnership between the City and private developer Woodbourne, Le Théâtre français de Toronto will establish its permanent home at the base of 1111 Danforth Ave. The new space will serve as a vibrant cultural hub, promoting and presenting theatrical vitality while offering diverse and inclusive programming for the community.
Quotes:
“The new mixed-income community at 1111 Danforth Ave. and 1117 Danforth Ave. are an example of what is possible when the City finds the right local partners who are also committed to solving the housing crisis. Thanks to the hard work and innovative thinking of our teams, the City, Neighbours Community Homes, and Woodbourne will deliver more than 400 new homes to the Danforth, including deeply affordable units with meaningful support for future residents. These new developments will also bring new life and vibrancy to a neighbourhood that can support it with shops, services, and transit for a complete community.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“The new homes at 1117 Danforth Ave. will help more people build stable lives in our community, including residents who have experienced homelessness, while a secondary rental market rate development will contribute to a mixed income neighbourhood. The addition of Le Théâtre français de Toronto showcases the immense level of thought, care, and consideration the City and our partners shared when we began collaborating on this project. The developments at 1111 and 1117 Danforth Ave. reflect the Toronto we are working to build, one where people can find housing, connect with their neighbours and access important amenities and community spaces close to home.”
– Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)
“Toronto needs more housing of every kind, and getting it built requires new ways of working together. This partnership demonstrates how private-sector, non-profit housing developers, cultural organizations, and government can come together around a shared goal of delivering more housing to unlock real benefits for the local community.”
– Nick Macrae, President, Woodbourne
“Our goal is not simply to build affordable housing, but to create strong, inclusive communities where people with diverse backgrounds can thrive together. Working collaboratively with the city of Toronto and Woodbourne has helped make this project not only viable but also repeatable — all while delivering a higher-quality community for future residents.”
– Gautam Mukherjee, Chief Executive Officer of Neighbours Community Homes
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