Chow breaks ground on new affordable housing project ahead of budget debate
City officials helped break ground Monday on a project that will see 201 new affordable rental homes built in Scarborough as Mayor Olivia Chow aimed to highlight a major part of her agenda.
“More affordable housing means stronger communities across Toronto. This affordable housing site at 25 Sewells Road is a success story of the collaboration between federal and municipal government and the not-for-profit sector,” Chow said. “To address the housing crisis we need more partnerships like this one, creating homes and a sense of belonging for all.”
A nine-storey building is set to be complete at 25 Sewells Road in 2025. It will have 201 affordable rental homes consisting of 100 one-bedroom, 83 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom units.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
An eight-storey building at the same address will follow with 117 affordable rental homes made up of 68 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom units.
The buildings will be operated by The Brenyon Way Charitable Foundation and will feature amenities such as a community garden and shared dining area and improvements to an existing playground area to the south.
The units are being funded in part by the city through $3.37 million in capital funding and $27 million in financial incentives, including property tax and development charge exemptions and permit fee waivers. The federal government is putting up over $15 million in funding and over $79 million in repayable loans through the Affordable Housing Fund.
“I’m so happy to see the groundbreaking of this important affordable housing project in Scarborough,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, who represents Scarborough-Rouge Park. “Our community has a real and immediate need for affordable homes and I’m proud that the City of Toronto is taking tangible steps to meet this need. I cannot wait to welcome our new neighbours when this building is complete.”
Affordable housing has been a major part of Chow’s agenda and the announcement comes just days before her first budget comes to council for approval.
A poll released the same day shows that Chow’s honeymoon period with voters appears to be over, with her support dropping from the mid-70s this past October to around 55 per cent over the past few weeks.
The results suggest Chow’s popularity has taken a ding in light of a proposed 9.5 per cent tax hike for homeowners. Parts of her budget, such as the level of funding for police, have also been met with some controversy.
However the same poll Monday showed that while Chow’s popularity appears to have dropped, some 36 per cent of Toronto residents see affordable housing as the top issue facing the city, compared to 21 per cent who said it’s transit, and 17 per cent who said crime was the top issue.
“I inherited a financial mess,” Chow said Monday in response to questions over her new polling numbers. She said her budget will help pull the city back from a $1.8 billion deficit.
Chow’s budget is set to be debated before a special meeting of city council on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.