Ontario Construction News staff writer
WoodGreen Community Services and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) have teamed up with the federal government to build a new nine-unit Cluster Care site for seniors at 1080 Queen St. E. in Toronto.
“We are proud to welcome seniors to our seventh Cluster Care site, here in East Toronto,” Anne Babcock, president and CEO of WoodGreen Community Services said at a ribbon cutting. “This partnership, with the unwavering support of the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto, will ensure that seniors have access to affordable housing with 24-hour personal support.”
The new Cluster Care units are part of WoodGreen’s Jack Layton Seniors Housing building, a facility previously used for staff offices and commercial space. The new units will expand the existing Cluster Care portfolio by nine units, bringing the total to 61 units in the building. This innovative care model is designed to serve seniors transitioning from MGH’s Memory Care Unit, providing a bridge to independent living while easing the strain on acute and long-term care services.
“This new Cluster Care model provides seniors with affordable housing in a shared environment, combined with round-the-clock personal support,” Babcock said. “We’re excited to welcome these seniors into the community.”
WoodGreen’s Cluster Care model groups eight to 11 seniors into private rooms with access to shared dining, recreation, and common areas. This approach allows older adults who require daily assistance but not full-time care to maintain independence while receiving the support they need.
This project received $1.6 million in federal funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative, $420,661 from the City of Toronto, operational support from MGH, and a generous $250,000 donation from the Dr. Allan Carswell Family Foundation.
