Toronto Protects 31 Affordable Rental Homes in Toronto-St. Paul’s
TORONTO — The City of Toronto has secured 31 affordable rental homes in the Toronto-St. Paul’s community through its Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) program, ensuring long-term affordability and stability for local tenants.
Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Josh Matlow (Toronto-St. Paul’s), and City staff joined Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes today to mark the acquisition of 201 Vaughan Road, a four-storey building now protected as permanently affordable housing.
The site includes 31 rental homes and wraparound supports provided by Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes, City VITA CLS, COTA, CommunitiCares, and CMHA Toronto.
Preserving Housing Through MURA
Launched in 2021, the MURA program funds non-profit housing providers to acquire existing rental properties and protect them from being lost to the private market. The City awarded $4.5 million in MURA funding to Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes in 2023 to support the purchase of 201 Vaughan Road.
Since acquiring the building, Good Shepherd has made renovations and strengthened on-site supports for tenants.
Mayor Chow emphasized the importance of preserving existing housing alongside new construction:
“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.”
Councillor Matlow noted the urgency of the housing crisis:
“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.”
Good Shepherd’s Role
The acquisition highlights the critical role of non-profit organizations in Toronto’s housing strategy. Colleen Lamond, Chief Operating Officer at Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes, underscored the human impact:
“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.”
Lamond added that the organization has improved building conditions while ensuring tenants receive wraparound supports to build independence and stability.
A Growing Program
Since its launch, MURA has provided over $165 million to non-profit agencies, securing more than 1,000 permanently affordable homes across Toronto. The program also sets aside 20 per cent of its funding for Indigenous housing organizations, advancing the City’s commitment to truth, reconciliation, and justice.
The program supports Toronto’s target of approving 65,000 new rent-controlled homes by 2030, including 6,500 rent-geared-to-income homes and 18,000 supportive homes, with a strong focus on helping people exit homelessness.
City officials say that by combining acquisitions like 201 Vaughan Road with new housing development, Toronto can both expand and safeguard its affordable housing supply.
For more information on the program, visit: toronto.ca/mura.
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