The City of Toronto and CreateTO announced Civic Developments, Windmill Developments and Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto as the development partners for a new housing project at 2444 Eglinton Ave. E. This housing project will deliver approximately 918 homes including 612 rent-geared-to-income (RGI), affordable and market rent-controlled co-operative homes, making it one of the largest affordable housing projects in Ontario in the past 25 years and the province’s largest co-operative development. This represents a significant milestone for housing supply in Ontario, addressing the critical need for affordable housing options and fostering inclusive community through co-op housing.
Through the not-for-profit housing co-operative, the co-op buildings will be owned and operated by the people who live in them. Each of the buildings will be governed by a board of directors made up of residents who will be elected by the members of the co-op.
This project is possible through the Housing Now Initiative, which Toronto City Council approved in January 2019 to activate City-owned lands to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing within transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use and complete communities.
About the housing project
This housing project will consist of two co-op buildings and a market ownership building. The homes will consist of a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. The site will also offer 3,580 square feet of community space as well as 12,770 square feet of retail space. This site, adjacent to the Kennedy Mobility Hub, connects four major transportation lines, fostering a truly sustainable community.
Rents for the RGI and affordable co-op homes will be set between 40 and 100 per cent of Average Market Rent as reported annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, making them affordable to a range of people with varying income levels. At least 33 per cent of the affordable homes and 15 per cent of the market rental homes in the project will be accessible.
Development partners
Civic Developments, Windmill Developments and Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto were selected as the development partners through a market offering process led by CreateTO on behalf of the City in 2021. As a pilot project by the CreateTO Board of Directors, the development team will undertake the process to obtain a zoning bylaw amendment and other planning approvals required to enable the final development concept. It’s anticipated that construction will start in 2024.
Housing Now Initiative
Through the Housing Now Initiative, City Council approved approximately $40 million in land value and financial incentives, including a waiver of fees and charges and an exemption from property taxes, to make the project at 2444 Eglinton Ave. E. possible.
Housing Now is a key housing supply program that supports the City’s HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan (HousingTO Plan) target of approving 65,000 new rent-controlled homes over the next ten years. To date, the City has committed approximately $2 billion in land value, capital funding and financial incentives towards supporting delivery of the 65,000 rent-controlled homes. However, new and enhanced investments from all orders of government, as well as the not-for-profit and private sectors are critical to meeting this target.
Implementation of the HousingTO Plan, which includes programs such as Housing Now, will support the City, Government of Ontario and Government of Canada in meeting their respective housing supply, economic and population growth targets and, most importantly, provide the types of homes needed for individuals and communities all across Toronto to thrive.