Today, Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Josh Matlow (Toronto-St. Paul’s) and City of Toronto staff joined Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes to celebrate the acquisition of 31 rental homes preserved through the City’s Multi Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) program.
Located in Toronto-St. Paul’s, 201 Vaughan Rd. is a four-storey residential building with 31 homes and wraparound supports operated by Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes City VITA CLS, COTA, CommunitiCares and CMHA Toronto.
Through the 2023 MURA funding call, the City awarded Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes with $4.5 million in MURA funding to support the purchase of 201 Vaughan Rd. Since this purchase, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes has continued to improve the site through renovations and on-site supports for tenants.
Acquisitions through MURA allow the City and its partners to protect existing affordable housing stock while creating permanently affordable homes and improve aging rental buildings.
Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program
Launched in 2021, the MURA program provides funding to not-for-profit housing providers to preserve existing affordable rental housing stock. This program advances the City’s target of approving 65,000 new rent-controlled homes across Toronto by 2030 including 6,500 rent-geared-to-income (RGI) homes and 18,000 supportive homes with a focus on helping people exit homelessness.
The MURA program plays a crucial role in supporting the not-for-profit housing sector in safeguarding existing rental properties, creating permanently affordable housing and enhancing housing stability for Toronto residents. Additionally, it actively contributes to the improvement of physical conditions in aging buildings.
Since its launch, the MURA program has provided more than $165 million to not-for-profit agencies to secure more than 1,000 permanently affordable homes in neighbourhoods across Toronto. To further the City’s commitment to truth, reconciliation and justice, 20 per cent of MURA funding is set aside to support acquisitions by Indigenous housing organizations.
More information about MURA can be found on the City’s website.
Quotes:
“As we build more affordable housing, we also have to work with non-profits to preserve the affordable units that already exist in our City. Through the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition Program, the City has approved and is supporting the acquisition of over 1,000 existing rental homes in Toronto, making it possible for non-profits such as Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes to continue providing affordable housing to Torontonians.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“Toronto is in the midst of a housing crisis and I’m very happy that we were able to partner with Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes to provide 31 new affordable rental homes in the heart of the City. There’s more work to be done.”
– Councillor Josh Matlow (Toronto-St. Paul’s)
With substantial support from the City of Toronto’s Multi-Unit Rental Acquisition program, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes was able to acquire a 31-unit building out of the private market, preserving long-term affordability and protecting vulnerable tenancies. This enabled housing equity and stability, aligning with Good Shepherd’s belief that housing is a human right and foundational to health and wellness. Since purchasing the building, Good Shepherd has improved the building conditions, reflecting a stronger standard of housing, while ensuring wraparound supports are offered that help tenants build independence and stability in their lives. The City of Toronto’s MURA supports non-profits like Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes in achieving these outcomes and plays a vital role in enabling the sector to deliver sustainable and inclusive housing.
– Colleen Lamond, Chief Operating Officer, Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.