The City of Toronto has kicked off construction on a new affordable and supportive housing project at 35 Bellevue Ave.

Operated by the Kensington Market Community Land Trust and St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society, the building will include approximately 78 new homes that will be dedicated to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The project is being constructed using mass timber building technology with sustainability and energy efficiency performance that meets or exceeds the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy goals and Toronto Green Standard. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025.

The project is the latest to be delivered under Toronto’s Public Developer Delivery model. The city launched the method last summer to accelerate the creation of non-market, affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income residents on City-owned lands.

The city is aiming to achieve an accelerated construction start at five sites, with 11 Brock Ave. and 35 Bellevue Ave. being the first two projects to get shovels in the ground in 2024.

Other sites include 405 Sherbourne St., 1113-1117 Dundas St. W., and 150 Queens Wharf Rd.

The site at 35 Bellevue Ave. was previously a parking lot operated by the Toronto Parking Authority. The site has since been declared surplus land and suitable for building affordable housing.

The city is providing $3.6 million in capital funding and financial incentives for the project, and hopes to receive further funding from the federal and provincial governments.

“Toronto is facing a housing affordability crisis. We need more affordable and supportive housing, which is why the city is taking action through the Public Developer model,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “The project at 35 Bellevue Ave. will create 78 new homes for people struggling with homelessness, representing one solution to move people from encampments into a home.”