Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government, along with the City of Toronto and University Health Network, is launching an initiative to expand supportive housing that will provide around 200 new homes for individuals facing homelessness and complex health issues.
This effort builds on Dunn House in Parkdale, which is Canada’s first supportive housing project focused on social medicine, as well as Spring House, a 54-unit development currently in its early stages.
The first of three new locations will offer about 80 affordable supportive homes close to Toronto Western Hospital.
A non-profit housing provider will manage the site after being chosen through a city-led selection process conducted with UHN.
The federal government is contributing over $25 million to this initiative through Build Canada Homes. The City of Toronto plans to allocate more than $19 million in funding and financial incentives, pending approval from the Toronto City Council.
Additionally, the UHN Foundation will add another $20 million to the project.
Create TO, the city’s real estate agency, will seek out sites for two more social medicine housing projects near Toronto Western Hospital. More details about these upcoming projects will be shared later.
This social medicine approach operates under the belief that factors such as stable housing, food security, and access to support services can have a direct impact on health outcomes.
The new residences will cater to people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and those with complex health and social needs. Residents will have access to on-site health services and connections to primary care as well as other healthcare supports.
UHN plans to collaborate with the city’s shelter and street outreach teams to identify individuals who are unhoused and frequently visit emergency departments within the UHN network.
This strategy also aims to lessen reliance on shelters along with emergency and acute-care services.
Initial findings from Dunn House indicated a 52 percent drop in emergency department visits and a 79 percent decline in hospital bed usage during residents’ first year after moving in.
These improvements led to approximately $2 million in healthcare cost savings – including around $413,000 from reduced emergency department visits and $1.66 million from fewer hospital bed days used.
Less than five percent of tenants across the city’s supportive housing portfolio returned to shelters within their first year, including those at Dunn House.
Spring House represents the second phase of this social medicine housing model. Create TO is managing this project which aims to provide 54 studio apartments for seniors experiencing chronic homelessness who frequently use UHN’s emergency services.
Construction for Spring House is expected to commence by late 2026.
“The Dunn House model is working,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow stated. “It’s helping people build stable lives, access vital resources, and stay off the street and out of the emergency room.”
Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson emphasized that this investment would offer essential supportive housing for those most in need.
UHN president and CEO Dr. Kevin Smith remarked that this expansion would enhance the hospital’s efforts combining housing with healthcare and social services.
The latest initiatives aim to extend this social medicine model by adding around 200 more homes across three different locations.
Source link
