The city of Toronto officially opened an affordable and permanent supportive rental housing building that includes 120 apartments for women at 389 Church St. Operated by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Toronto, the self-contained apartments provides a safe and supportive community for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, gender diverse people, and youth and seniors who have experienced or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness
The modernization of the 13-storey residential building was undertaken by TCHC, as the building owner. The affordable housing project was funded by the City of Toronto, through the Open Door Program and Section 37 funding and the Government of Ontario’s Home for Good program, which is designed to assist people who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, in finding and maintaining housing with the appropriate supports.
The YWCA Toronto has leased the building from TCHC and will manage the property and oversee the delivery of support services to the tenants. The comprehensive support services will be provided by YWCA Toronto; Wigwamen Incorporated; Margaret’s Community Housing and Support Services; and Elizabeth Fry.
Services include housing stabilization, harm reduction, health promotion, and increased access to primary health care and acute mental health services. The building includes a pottery studio, as well programs that focus on celebrating the Indigenous cultural heritage of residents. Tenants will start moving in shortly, with full occupancy anticipated by the end of May.
The City’s HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan sets an aggressive housing agenda focused on supporting 341,000 households over the next 10 years and calls for the City to approve 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive homes.
More information about the plan is available online: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/community-partners/affordable-housing-partners/housingto-2020-2030-action-plan/