YMCA Breaks Ground on Rapid Housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth in Toronto

Toronto – The YMCA of Greater Toronto, in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada, officially broke ground on a transformative rapid housing project for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in downtown Toronto.

Located on the site of the Wagner Green YMCA emergency shelter, the six-storey development will provide 31 affordable rental homes for youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Each tenant will have a private studio apartment equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom, with rents capped at no more than 30% of income or the shelter allowance provided through income support programs.

The project is being funded through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), which is part of the National Housing Strategy and delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The City of Toronto is also providing support for this critical initiative.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, key stakeholders and leaders gathered to celebrate the project’s start. Among those in attendance were Mayor Olivia Chow, YMCA President and CEO Lesley Davidson, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, and Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth.

“Everyone deserves a place to call home, so we are creating 65,000 rent-controlled homes for Torontonians who need it most,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Working with the YMCA, this Rapid Housing project will give 2SLGBTQIA+ youth a place to call home. With a common goal and vision for a more inclusive city, we are working across government and with non-profits to build a kinder, more caring city.”

Deputy Mayor Malik highlighted the YMCA’s long-standing role in supporting unhoused youth, noting, “This expansion to include 31 transitional RGI homes is a meaningful next step to support young 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. I am excited to see this project advance in the coming months to provide more affordable housing for young people who call Spadina-Fort York home.”

Lesley Davidson emphasized the importance of addressing inequities faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. “While they represent 10% of the Canadian population, it’s estimated that almost one in three young people experiencing homelessness in Canada identifies within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We are thrilled to help address this inequity with the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada by providing young people with supportive housing, ultimately helping them achieve their full potential.”

Lisa Hepfner echoed the sentiment, stating, “2SLGBTQIA+ youth face a disproportionate risk of homelessness, so it is crucial we provide resources and supports to help them overcome barriers to housing. The Government of Canada is investing $16.8 million from our Rapid Housing Initiative to support this six-storey building so that more young people can have a place to call home.”

The Wagner Green YMCA emergency shelter, where the new housing will be located, has long been a sanctuary for unhoused youth. The facility provides meals, shelter, and wrap-around supports that help youth return to school, secure employment, and transition to independent living. This new development marks an important step in extending that support.

For updates on this project, visit ymcagta.org/rapidhousing.