Toronto approves construction of two modular housing buildings
The City of Toronto is moving ahead with a plan to build two modular housing buildings with a combined 100 rental units that target people in the city who are experiencing homelessness.
The city made the announcement to start the first phase of its Modular Housing Initiative on June 2. The two three-storey buildings will be built this summer and ready for occupancy in the fall. Phase two will see a further 150 units ready for occupancy by spring 2021.
The decision to move forward with the construction comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the city’s shelters hard. Pre-pandemic, most were at capacity. Physical distancing requirements forced shelter users into community centres and hotels.
CreateTO, the city’s real estate agency, will act as the project manager for the Modular Housing Initiative.
“This project is on an expedited timeline to meet the urgent need for housing,” said Brian Johnston, CEO of CreateTO. “COVID-19 has forced us to rethink how we work. We have all pulled together to get this done on an expedited basis, and will continue to do so.”
Two sites have been identified for the buildings: at 150 Harrison Street and 11 Macey Avenue. The sites were selected for their development potential, local infrastructure, proximity to public transit, access to health and community services, and the need for affordable housing in each neighbourhood.
The Harrison Street building will include 44 bachelor apartments, while the Macey Avenue building will include 56 units. Both will include common rooms, a dining room, program space and administrative offices.
The total construction budget for this first phase of work is $20.9 million. Part of the funding will come from development charges, and part from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Innovation Fund. This city has requested operating funding for support services and housing subsidies from the province.
A contractor has not yet been selected for the work, but the buildings will be fabricated offsite and installed once site servicing is complete.
“As Toronto continues to grow, we are working to find unique and modern ways to address the ongoing challenges that we will face including the need for increased housing options,” said Mayor John Tory. “Modular housing is one way in which we can provide residents access to affordable housing as quickly as possible. Through modular housing we can create permanent housing options that will impact the lives of many people in our city by providing stable and supportive housing.”
The Modular Housing Initiative is one component of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. The plan calls for the city to approve 40,000 new affordable rental homes—including 1,000 modular homes.
“Toronto’s Official Plan sets out the need for affordable housing in all neighbourhoods, for the city to be vibrant and successful and equitable,” said Toronto’s chief planner Gregg Lintern. “Providing modular housing on city-owned sites is an effective way of supporting our diverse communities and ensuring we can all succeed.”