Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Toronto is partnering with the Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT) and St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society to operate a new affordable housing development at 35 Bellevue Ave. – two of five city-owned sites slotted for development of new affordable and supportive rental homes.
The 78-unit building is being constructed using mass timber building technology with sustainability and energy efficiency performance that meets or exceeds the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy goals and Toronto Green Standard V4.
These new homes will be dedicated to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and will be offered as rent-geared-to-income homes with no tenant paying more than 30 per cent of their income or the shelter allowance of their social assistance on rent.
The city also announced that Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre will manage the new development at 11 Brock Ave.
Both new rental housing projects are being delivered under the City’s new Public Developer Deliery model, which will provide much-needed affordable and supportive homes. Under the Public Developer model, the city will take a greater role in the development process while accelerating the creation of non-market affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income residents.
“Toronto is facing a serious housing affordability crisis that is growing at an alarming rate. Projects such as 11 Brock Ave. and 35 Bellevue Ave. are critical to fill the gap in bringing affordable and supportive rental housing to residents in the quickest way possible,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “I’m pleased to recognize KMLCT, St. Clare’s and PARC, who have been chosen to partner with the City on these projects on the back of their many years of partnership and support in the communities they operate in.”
PARC is working with the city staff throughout the design and construction process and will lease and operate the building once construction is completed in 2025. This development will create approximately 42 new rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Both housing partners were selected through a competitive process.
Construction at 35 Bellevue Ave. and 11 Brock Ave. is expected to start at the end of 2024, with residents moving into their new homes by the end of 2025.
Funding has been requested from the Province of Ontario to support the operating costs for support services at both sites
More information on 11 Brock Ave. can be found on the City’s website and updates on 35 Bellevue Ave. can be found here.
“It’s notable that the City is delivering these affordable rental homes through the Public Developer model, with the highest green standards in place to meet our sustainability targets. I am pleased to see both projects moving forward with the selection of two very reputable and accomplished housing providers,” said Councillor Gord Perks chair of the planning and housing committee.