In Toronto's Willowdale neighborhood, a long-awaited supportive housing development for seniors experiencing homelessness has commenced. The project, a three-storey modular building, will provide 59 studio apartments geared towards income rent. Mayor Olivia Chow highlighted the project's significance in helping seniors, particularly those facing mental health and addiction issues, transition to independent living. Despite initial resistance leading to years of delays, the city is now moving forward, with wraparound support managed by non-profit WoodGreen Community Services. The building is expected to open early next year, addressing urgent housing needs among vulnerable populations.
"It will be a home for a whole lot of seniors that have had mental health issues and have addiction issues," she said. "It's an important day."
"I hear the hammering in the background. This is a sound of joy, because we've waited for so long," Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told reporters.
The project immediately met with resistance when it was announced in 2021, as part of a modular housing program launched the year before in response to the city's housing shortage.
Non-profit WoodGreen Community Services will manage the building and provide wraparound supports for tenants, emphasizing the need for community integration and support.
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