Ontario Funds Innovative Modular Homes in Scarborough
Province’s $2 million investment will support people experiencing homelessness
The Voice of Canada :
Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack announced that the Ontario government is providing approximately $2 million in annual operating funding for a five-storey modular housing building containing 57 units that are prioritized for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Located at 39 Dundalk Drive in Scarborough, the building is part of the City of Toronto’s Modular Housing Initiative, an innovative program which is increasing the supply of affordable housing across the city. All units in the building will be fully furnished and include a kitchen and bathroom. Twenty of the homes are barrier-free. Residents will begin moving into their new modular homes at the end of November.
“Our government’s historic increase to the Homelessness Prevention Program is providing much-needed support to the City of Toronto and municipalities across the province,” said Associate Minister Flack. “Today is National Housing Day, which is a chance to reiterate our commitment to build more homes of all types across Ontario. Supportive and affordable housing is a key part of that plan, as is the use of modular housing and other innovative solutions that use high-speed homebuilding to help people find homes faster.”
The funding announced today is part of the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP). The Ontario government is investing an additional $202 million each year in homelessness prevention programs – the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program – bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment to close to $700 million. This includes an increase of $48 million through HPP for the City of Toronto, bringing the city’s total funding to more than $217 million annually.
“We’re proud to partner with the City of Toronto in this innovative program. Our government is working hard to get more homes built in Scarborough Centre and across the province.” – David Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament, Scarborough Centre
“National Housing Day recognizes the vital work done by housing partners, including providers, across Canada to improve access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for everyone. Supportive housing is critical to addressing chronic homelessness. Projects like the modular homes at 39 Dundalk Dr. reflect the importance of combining an affordable home with the right supports to help people who are exiting homelessness stay housed and improve their lives. This kind of partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments, in collaboration with non-profit housing providers, is what we need more of in Toronto. We thank the federal and provincial governments for their significant partnerships to date and look forward to doing more together to address the housing crisis in Toronto.” – Olivia Chow, Mayor, City of Toronto
“Homes First is excited to have been chosen as the operator of the new program located at 39 Dundalk, which adds 57 greatly needed units of supportive housing into the system. Individuals who were formerly experiencing homelessness will now have a home and access to 24-hour staff, specialized case managers available throughout the week, along with an on-site cook and full meal program.” – Patricia Mueller, CEO, Homes First Society
Through HPP, service managers have the flexibility to allocate provincial funding to programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters, and supportive housing including capital projects.
In September, the provincial government announced an additional $42 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit to help the City of Toronto and other impacted municipalities across the province support asylum claimants and other at-risk populations in need of housing.
