Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced on Friday that the completion date for the new rent-geared-to-income supportive housing units in Parkdale has been pushed back to fall 2026. Originally scheduled for early 2026, the project will feature 42 affordable housing units in a four-story building at 11 Brock Ave.
Joined by Coun. Gord Perks and Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park MPP Karim Bardeesy at a news conference, Chow emphasized the importance of providing every resident with a stable living situation. She highlighted the significance of affordable housing in helping individuals regain stability and rebuild their lives.
Each apartment will include a kitchen, bathroom, shared laundry facilities, a commercial kitchen, and a communal area for programs. Tenants will pay a maximum of 30% of their income or the shelter allowance from social assistance towards rent. Additionally, they will have access to support services to promote health, well-being, and housing security.
The housing project is part of Toronto’s “public developer delivery model,” approved by the city council in July 2024 to construct affordable rental homes for low and moderate-income residents on city-owned land.
Chow mentioned the use of mass timber in the construction, highlighting its speed, environmental benefits, and compliance with Toronto’s green standards. The city acquired the Brock Avenue lot from the Ontario government in 2019.
The Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, known for operating supportive homes for adults with mental health and substance abuse issues in Toronto, will lease and manage the building. Chow commended their successful track record in building and operating similar facilities.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the affordable housing project took place in December, with the city receiving $21.6 million in federal funding through the rapid housing initiative in 2023. Chow confirmed ongoing collaboration with Minister of Housing Gregor Robertson to build 25,000 new affordable homes, surpassing the target of 18,000 supportive homes by 2030.
The city is still seeking operational funding assistance from the provincial government for the project. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack’s spokesperson stated that the Ontario government is investing $1.7 billion to enhance access to supportive housing, along with $75.5 million for housing alternatives for vulnerable individuals.
This project is the first of five affordable housing projects under the “public developer delivery model” in the city. Despite economic challenges, Chow emphasized the progress by stating, “Shovels are hitting the ground.”
As of 2024, Toronto’s waiting list for social housing has increased to 92,965 people from 75,191 in 2019. The city council’s adoption of a new affordable rental housing allocation approach in July 2022 aims to streamline the application process for buildings with more than 10 units by incorporating a lottery and a waitlist based on applicants’ waiting time for housing.
