Ontario Construction News staff writer
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow celebrated National Housing Day this week with the opening of 57 new permanent, rent-geared-to-income (RGI) modular homes at 39 Dundalk Dr. for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Each year on Nov. 22, the city marks National Housing Day to recognize the work done by housing partners across Canada to improve access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for everyone.
Construction started at 39 Dundalk Dr.in 2022 and the building will be operated by Homes First Society, a non-profit housing organization with expertise in providing affordable, stable housing and support services to people who have experienced chronic homelessness.
The 57 homes also have common amenities including a laundry room, dining and communal areas, an outdoor patio and garden, as well as administrative offices and a commercial kitchen that will provide on-site meals for residents.
Capital funding – $4.3 million came from municipal, provincial and federal governments. TCHC owns the land that has been unlocked for development through a lease between TCHC and the city.
There is currently an unprecedented demand for shelter space in Toronto, currently accommodating close to 11,000 people in and out of the shelter system in bridging hotels and programs run by the Canadian Red Cross. Despite continuously investing in the shelter system, the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness continues to grow.
Modular construction provides a unique opportunity to respond rapidly to Toronto’s urgent need to create more permanent, deeply affordable homes while reducing pressure on the City’s emergency shelter system.
Since launching a modular construction program in April 2020, seven sites are completed or underway across Toronto, for a total of almost 400 modular homes. A total of 216 modular homes have been completed at four sites: 11 Macey Ave., 321 Dovercourt Rd., 540 Cedarvale Ave. and 39 Dundalk Dr.