This morning marked the opening of new affordable rental homes for Indigenous men experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
Construction of the nine new studio units began in November of 2022 after leading Canadian condominium developer MOD Developments announced plans to renovate a 1877 Victorian Mansion located on the site of 218 Carlton Street in historic Cabbagetown.
The city owned property will be operated by Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res), a registered charitable organization dedicated to providing outreach, temporary, transitional, and permanent housing to Indigenous men in Toronto and additional support services to a broader Indigenous population. And, in line with project objectives, the permanent affordable rental housing complex was given the Anishnawbe name Migize Pazaagwii Gamik (Uplifting Place of the Bald Eagle).
"Now more than ever it is crucial that Indigenous people in Toronto have access to culturally appropriate supports to secure stable, safe and affordable housing," said Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res. "Our new Carlton Street affordable housing project marks the first of three builds we are developing to help address the crisis of Indigenous people facing and experiencing homelessness in this city and to provide them with the dignity they deserve."
The new affordable rental homes represent much needed respites in an often unforgiving environment for unhoused Indigenous folks since, according to Teekens, "Fifteen percent of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto are Indigenous – even though we only make up 0.5 percent of the city's population."
Gary Switzer (MOD Developments), Mayor Olivia Chow, Steve Teekens (Na-Me-Res) and Councillor Chris Moise at opening ceremony for Na-Me-Res non-profit housing project Migize Pazaagwii Gamik in TorontoPhoto by: Vito Amati
Alongside Teekens, Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), and Gary Switzer, CEO of MOD Developments, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony this morning.
"The new affordable rental property at 218 Carlton Street [...] will serve to alleviate the homelessness crisis that disproportionately impacts Indigenous men in Toronto,” said Mayor Chow. “This site offers deeply affordable homes that are supported by City-funded rent supplements, which ensures tenants pay no more than 30 per cent of their income.”
In even more good news, residents are already moved in and are in the process of transitioning to permanent housing. But in their time at Migize Pazaagwii Gamik, the now-housed Indigenous men will have vital access to dedicated support, cultural re-connection, and counselling from Na-Me-Res.
