Toronto Opens 20 Supportive Homes for Indigenous Men
Toronto supportive homes for Indigenous men provide deeply affordable housing and culturally appropriate onsite services at 230 Coxwell Avenue.
TORONTO — Twenty new supportive homes for Indigenous men have officially opened at 230 Coxwell Avenue, expanding Toronto’s supply of deeply affordable housing for people leaving the shelter system or experiencing homelessness.
Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ontario Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Graydon Smith, Na-Me-Res Executive Director Steve Teekens, NICHI Housing Chief Executive Officer John Gordon and Miziwe Biik Development Corporation President Nancy Martin attended the opening on July 28.
Culturally appropriate housing and support
Operated by Na-Me-Res, the new building—known as Wiigwaasinaagan—contains 17 one-bedroom apartments and three studio units.
Residents will have access to onsite services developed through an Indigenous approach to housing and wellness. The supports will address mental and physical health, spiritual well-being, community integration and other needs associated with maintaining stable housing.
Na-Me-Res is a Toronto community organization that provides outreach, shelter, housing and support to Indigenous men experiencing homelessness.
Teekens said the development represents more than the opening of a building.
“Wiigwaasinaagan, meaning ‘birch bark bowl,’ will provide housing, support, community and a sense of belonging to help Indigenous men move forward on their journey toward Mino Bimaadiziwin — living the good life.”
Today, we celebrate the official opening of the new Na-Me-Res supportive housing in Leslieville.
The completed project will provide 20 new homes to assist Indigenous men who are transitioning out of the shelter system or are currently experiencing homelessness.
For full… pic.twitter.com/sZHQIBKHYY
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) July 28, 2026
Funding from multiple levels of government
The City of Toronto contributed more than $2 million in capital funding and incentives, including development-charge exemptions and waived municipal fees.
The project also received:
- $5.8 million from the federal government
- More than $1.7 million in combined federal-provincial funding
- More than $1.1 million in provincial funding delivered through the Miziwe Biik Development Corporation
- Nearly $3 million through National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc.
John Gordon, chief executive officer of NICHI, said the project demonstrates how Indigenous-led organizations can create lasting change through the “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” housing model.
Part of Toronto’s supportive-housing strategy
Supportive housing combines permanent, deeply affordable rental accommodation with onsite services designed to help residents maintain stable housing and improve their health and well-being.
Toronto has set a target of approving 18,000 supportive homes by 2030. The Coxwell Avenue development also contributes to the broader HousingTO objective of delivering 65,000 new rent-controlled homes by the end of the decade.
That target includes 41,000 affordable rental homes, 6,500 rent-geared-to-income homes and 17,500 additional rent-controlled homes.
Mayor Olivia Chow said cooperation among governments and community housing organizations made the development possible.
“This project demonstrates how intergovernmental support enables us to continue our work to end homelessness and build permanent homes.”
Councillor Fletcher said the new residence will provide both homes and onsite support for Indigenous men transitioning out of homelessness.
Source: City of Toronto news release, July 28, 2026
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