More affordable housing options are coming to the east end of town thanks to a partnership between the City of Toronto, Dixon Hall and Toronto Community Housing.
Through the partnership, the City will be renovating and revitalizing affordable, supportive, multi-tenant (rooming house) units at 502-508 Parliament Street in Cabbagetown.
With support from the local ward councillor, the project will now receive $6 million in Section 37 community benefits, allowing the revitalization to proceed this fall and be ready for occupancy in spring 2021.
The properties are Second Empire historical row houses built in 1879 by noted builder J. Bowden and are listed on the City's Heritage Registry.
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The project will create 44 revitalized multi-tenant units with shared kitchen space, restored heritage assets, and newly landscaped grounds. Support services will be provided onsite by Dixon Hall.
Currently owned by Toronto Community Housing, the properties require significant investment in renovation and heritage restoration.
"Prior to the global pandemic, Toronto was already facing a housing crisis and since COVID-19, the situation has become more visible and increasingly more acute," said Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Ward 13 Toronto Centre.
"Modernizing and beautifully restoring these underutilized heritage properties is the right thing to do and I’m pleased to support this long-term investment in dignified housing for our most vulnerable residents."
As authorized by City Council as part of the City's Tenants First Project, work is underway to transfer ownership of these vacant multi-tenant homes to Dixon Hall, which is the lead agency providing supports to tenants in Toronto Community Housing rooming houses.
In addition to the Section 37 contribution, almost $1 million in funding and affordable housing incentives are being provided through the City’s Open Door program to support the revitalization.
"Dixon Hall has been a part of the downtown east community since 1929. We are thrilled to be a part of this project that will not only contribute to the ongoing beautification of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood but will, vitally, enable affordable, supportive housing solutions for those in need," added Mercedes Watson, CEO at Dixon Hall.
