On Tuesday, 92 newly-renovated, permanent, rent-geared-to-income, and supportive homes were officially completed at 65 Dundas Street East — the largest shelter to housing conversion ever undertaken in Toronto.
The completion of the units was announced by Mayor Olivia Chow who called 65 Dundas "[not] just an address," but a "beacon of hope for those previously unhoused."
Formerly the Bond Place Hotel, the 92 units represent the first phase of renovations in a larger project aimed at providing a total of 280 new permanent rental homes in the Downtown East. The project was first launched in 2022 with federal funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), which allowed the City to purchase 65 Dundas to convert it for affordable housing. Prior to that, the address was leased by the City as a temporary shelter as an urgent response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once fully complete in Spring 2025, the development will provide "homes for people earning a range of incomes and in need of an affordable home," says press release. The units will include new studio and one-bedroom apartments with a private bathroom and kitchenette, with at least 15% of the apartments being accessible. Residents also have access to indoor amenity spaces such as shared laundry, a dining area, large communal, programming, and tenant support spaces, details the release.
The property will be leased and managed by Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services — a Toronto-based social services organization — over a near 50-year term, and provide wrap-around support services to residents of the supportive homes.
"This has been an incredible journey," says Chow. "Projects such as 65 Dundas St. E. demonstrate how partnerships between various orders of government and housing providers such as Dixon Hall can deliver innovative solutions that address the most urgent challenges of our time.”
Dixon Hall will also be working with MMAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and the Inner City Health Associates to provide residents with supports ranging from health and wellness services, such as medical and mental health care, education, training and employment opportunities, life skills training and supports, meals and food security programs, as well as help to access income assistance, according to the release.
In order to finance the project, the City acquired more than $123 million in capital funding from the federal government through RHI, supported financing through its own capital funding, and provided financial incentives and relief from property taxes, estimated at $9.5 million. Plus, $3.57 million in operating funding for wraparound support services was provided by the provincial government as part of its commitment of $48 million made in 2023 towards supportive housing.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. This investment, through the Rapid Housing Initiative, will provide stability and safety to those who need it the most," says Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, on behalf of Housing Minister Sean Fraser. "I’m proud that this major investment will help meet affordable housing needs in the city of Toronto, benefitting the most vulnerable in our region for decades to come. This is our government’s National Housing Strategy at work.”
