Toronto Partners With Ywca To Open Affordable And Permanent Housing At 389 Church Street

TORONTO: Mayor John Tory last week officially opened an affordable and permanent supportive rental housing building that includes 120 apartments for women at 389 Church St.

These self-contained apartments will create a safe, inclusive and supportive community for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, gender-diverse people, and youth and seniors who have experienced or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness; and will be operated by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Toronto.

The Mayor was joined for the virtual announcement by Parm Gill, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on behalf of the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão (Chair, Planning and Housing Committee); Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre); Kevin Marshman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC); and Heather McGregor, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Toronto, to announce the reopening of 389 Church St.

The modernization of the 13-storey residential building was undertaken by TCHC, as the building owner.

The affordable housing project was funded by the City of Toronto, through the Open Door Program and Section 37 funding and the Government of Ontario’s Home for Good program, which is designed to assist people who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, in finding and maintaining housing with the appropriate supports.

The YWCA Toronto has leased the building from TCHC and will manage the property and oversee the delivery of support services to the tenants. The comprehensive support services will be provided by YWCA Toronto; Wigwamen Incorporated; Margaret’s Community Housing and Support Services; and Elizabeth Fry. Services include housing stabilization, harm reduction, health promotion, and increased access to primary health care and acute mental health services.

The building includes a pottery studio, as well programs that focus on celebrating the Indigenous cultural heritage of residents. Tenants will start moving in shortly, with full occupancy anticipated by the end of May.

The City’s HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan sets an aggressive housing agenda focused on
supporting 341,000 households over the next 10 years and calls for the City to approve 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive homes.

More information about the plan is available online: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/communitypartners/affordable-housing-partners/housingto-2020-2030-actionplan/

Mayor Tory said: “As a city we have made it clear that we are committed to expanding our affordable housing supply with a focus on supportive housing. Today’s announcement is a good example of taking city assets and modernizing them so that they serve our residents better while meeting our affordable housing goals. I want to thank the provincial government and YWCA for partnering with our city and for allowing us to create a new, safe, and inclusive space for some of our city’s most vulnerable residents. By working together, we can continue to build up Toronto and ensure that everyone has a roof over their head.”

Parm Gill, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said: “Our government is committed to supporting vulnerable Ontarians, including women who are trying to access the affordable housing and supports they need now. That is why we are providing nearly $18 million for this project at 389 Church St., to help build a more efficient and sustainable community housing system for years to come.”

Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão (Davenport), Planning and Housing Committee Chair, added: “I am pleased to see additional supportive housing options become available for residents of our city. We have been working hard to create opportunities to provide permanent housing for those who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of being homeless, and today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to continue to move forward with our housing plan.”