Toronto Breaks Ground on First Public Developer Delivery Affordable Housing Project
Toronto, ON – Mayor Olivia Chow officially marked the commencement of construction for the City of Toronto’s first affordable housing project under the new Public Developer Delivery model at 11 Brock Ave. today. The groundbreaking signifies a key step in the City’s strategy to address housing needs for low- and moderate-income residents.
Approved by Toronto City Council in July, the Public Developer Delivery model is designed to accelerate the development of affordable rental homes on City-owned lands. Under this model, the City is tasked with setting housing targets, fast-tracking development approvals, and overseeing construction, streamlining the process to create non-market housing solutions.
The 11 Brock Ave. site is just the beginning of an ambitious plan. In addition to this location, four other City-owned “housing-ready” sites will see expedited construction, including projects at 35 Bellevue Ave., 405 Sherbourne St., 1113-1117 Dundas St. W. (the City’s first mass-timber site), and 150 Queens Wharf Rd. The ground-breaking at 35 Bellevue Ave. is expected to take place later this week.
Set to be completed by the end of 2025, the development at 11 Brock Ave. will provide approximately 42 new rent-geared-to-income (RGI) and supportive homes, catering to individuals at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. The building will offer private apartments, each with its own bathroom and kitchen, in addition to shared communal spaces like a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a programming area designed to foster community and support.
Our shelters are full, and thousands are on the waitlist for social housing. Today, I joined PARC and Councillor Gord Perks in Parkdale to break ground on new affordable, supportive housing. It’s a start, but there’s much more to do in 2025 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/zfHeASulHa
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) December 16, 2024
The new homes will be offered as rent-geared-to-income units, ensuring tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income or their social assistance shelter allowance on rent. Tenants will also have access to a wide range of support services designed to improve their housing stability, health, and overall well-being.
In partnership with Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), the City will provide supportive housing at 11 Brock Ave. PARC, which specializes in providing housing and services for adults facing mental health and substance use challenges, will manage the facility. Many of the residents will be individuals with a history of homelessness.
The City of Toronto acquired the 11 Brock Ave. property in 2019 for $3.25 million, a transaction facilitated by the Province of Ontario. To further support the project, the federal government provided $21.6 million in funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative in 2023. The City will also contribute significant financial resources, including over $3.4 million in pre-development funding and financial incentives such as waived fees and property taxes.
While the project receives support from all levels of government, ongoing funding from the Province of Ontario is critical. The City has requested the Province renew its investment of $48 million annually to support services for over 3,000 supportive housing units across Toronto. Additionally, the City is seeking $12 million annually from the Province to fund new supportive housing projects starting in 2025 and 2026.
The 11 Brock Ave. project is part of the City’s broader HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which aims to deliver 65,000 new rent-controlled homes, including 41,000 affordable rentals and 6,500 rent-geared-to-income units, over the next six years. The City is seeking approximately $7.6 to $8.1 billion in federal funding and $9.1 to $9.6 billion in provincial funding to meet these targets.
In her remarks, Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the importance of the project:
“No one in Toronto should be without shelter, particularly the most vulnerable among us. This project will provide 42 homes to those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. I want to congratulate PARC and all involved on this important project. Toronto is back in the housing business.”
For more information on the 11 Brock Ave. development and the City’s broader affordable housing plans, visit the City of Toronto’s website.