Infrastructure Ontario announced that it has released a request for proposals (RFP) inviting six non-profit housing corporations to submit bids to own and operate affordable rental housing. The buildings are being developed as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village in the West Don Lands.
The affordable rental housing will be built by the consortium selected to design, build and finance the overall Athletes’ Village, a project that is accelerating development in the West Don Lands.
During the Games the Athletes’ Village will provide accommodations for athletes and officials. After the Games, the Village area will become part of a master planned community that will include approximately 20 per cent affordable rental housing, five per cent affordable ownership and the remainder market value condominiums.
The successful non-profit housing corporations will purchase affordable rental homes. The homes will be located in two buildings and will include a range of suite mixes and fully accessible units, to support low to moderate income individuals and families.
Based on a competitive request for qualifications process that began in April 2011, the following six non-profit housing corporations have met the qualifications criteria to own and operate the affordable rental housing units and have been invited to respond to a request for proposals:
- Fred Victor Centre
- St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society
- St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre
- Toronto Artscape Inc.
- Wigwamen Community Housing Inc.
- WoodGreen Community Housing Inc.
The bids for the overall Athletes’ Village project have been received and are currently being evaluated. The successful proponent will be selected and announced in fall 2011, at which point construction will commence. The Athletes’ Village project is proceeding under Infrastructure Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement model, whereby risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing the facilities are transferred to the private sector.
The new West Don Lands neighbourhood will be built based on Waterfront Toronto’s vision for a green, modern and vibrant community as outlined in the Precinct Plan for the West Don Lands.
The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.