Toronto Advances First Public Developer-Led Affordable Housing at 11 Brock Avenue
City begins construction on 42 new mass timber supportive homes in Parkdale–High Park under the innovative Public Developer model.
TORONTO — The City of Toronto is advancing its first-ever public developer-led affordable housing project at 11 Brock Avenue — a milestone that combines innovation, sustainability, and compassion in tackling the city’s housing crisis.
Mayor Olivia Chow, joined by Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale–High Park), and Member of Parliament Karim Bardeesy (Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park), announced that craning and assembly are now underway for the new six-storey modular, mass timber building — marking a major step forward for Toronto’s new Public Developer model.
Building faster, greener, and more affordable
Approved by City Council in 2024, the Public Developer model allows the City to directly lead the development of non-market rental housing on City-owned land. The approach accelerates timelines, prioritizes affordability, and ensures homes are built to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.
The 11 Brock Avenue project will feature 42 new supportive and rent-geared-to-income homes, providing stable housing for residents who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Using prefabricated and mass timber construction, the development will exceed Toronto Green Standard requirements while speeding up delivery and reducing environmental impact.
Tenants will pay no more than 30 per cent of their income, or the shelter allowance of their social assistance, on rent. Each resident will have a private apartment with a bathroom and kitchen, as well as shared amenities such as a communal kitchen, laundry, and program space.
Once completed in Fall 2026, the building will be leased and operated by the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), which has served the Parkdale community for over 40 years. PARC will also provide wrap-around support services, helping residents maintain housing stability, access mental health resources, and build community connections.
Partnerships driving affordability
The project is supported by all three levels of government. The federal government has invested $21.6 million through the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), while the City of Toronto has contributed funding, waived development fees, and provided the land, which it acquired from the Province of Ontario in 2019 for $3.25 million.
Toronto continues to call on the Province of Ontario to renew $48 million in annual funding for support services in existing supportive housing and to invest an additional $16 million annually beginning in 2026 to sustain new supportive projects.
“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.”
— Mayor Olivia Chow
Supportive housing for a stronger Toronto
Toronto’s goal is to approve 18,000 new supportive homes by 2030, providing long-term, cost-effective alternatives to shelters and hospital stays. Supportive housing not only offers dignity and stability but also strengthens communities by ensuring every resident has a safe place to call home.
For more details, visit the City of Toronto’s project page: toronto.ca/11BrockAve.
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