Future community housing in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Housing is the foundation of strong and caring communities. Safe, secure and affordable housing is essential for everyone.

Community housing provides subsidized or affordable rents to households with low and moderate incomes, delivered by non-profit and cooperative housing providers and Housing York Inc. (HYI). At the end of 2021, there were more than 15,600 households on the wait list for affordable housing in York Region. In 2021, 232 applicants were housed in a subsidized housing unit, the lowest number of applicants housed since 2008.

Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges facing the Region today. In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, York Region has the lowest proportion of rental housing at 14%, and the highest proportion of households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs, with 52% of renters facing affordability challenges. In early 2021, York Regional Council passed a resolution declaring a housing affordability crisis. York Regional Council is committed to building complete communities with a full range of housing options and services to support residents at all ages and stages of their lives. This commitment includes investing in community housing.

There is a significant demand for rental housing in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Approximately 3,200 households on York Region’s subsidized housing wait list have identified the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville as a desired location. Many renters in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

The new development at 5676 Main Street will help increase the supply rental housing and is close to public transportation, including GO Transit, shops, restaurants, services and park space.

Construction of the new community housing building began in spring 2022 and substantial completion is expected in spring 2024.

There is a significant demand for rental housing in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. As the cost of housing continues to rise, there is limited supply with only two affordable rental apartment buildings in the community. According to the 2016 Census, more than 40% of renters in Whitchurch-Stouffville spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Ensuring safe, secure and affordable housing helps build healthy lives and create stable communities. Housing York Inc’s affordable housing model focuses on good design, appropriate scale, mixed income and proactive management. This new development at 5676 Main Street will increase the supply of affordable and rental options to help more people find and keep housing.

5676 Main Street will provide housing options for seniors, families and individuals. The building will offer a mix of affordable and market rent units. Similar to York Region’s diverse communities, households on the Region’s subsidized housing wait list represent different ages, family composition and backgrounds. The wait list is kept in chronological order, as required by the Province of Ontario. Currently, over 40% of individuals on the wait list are seniors.

Once construction is complete, available affordable housing units will be offered to applicants with the highest placement on the wait list for the building and available unit type. Placement is determined based on application date and defined priorities, such as Special Priority for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Market rent vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents interested in market rent units available from HYI can visit york.ca for more information.

The community housing development at 5676 Main St. in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville will include both subsidized and market rental units.

Subsidized housing

For information about subsidized housing in York Region, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit york.ca/Housing or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675. New applicants should be aware that the demand for subsidized housing in York Region is high and wait times are long. If you are not on the subsidized housing wait list already, it is unlikely you will be offered a unit in this building when it opens.

Market rate units

Vacancies for the market rate units will be filled on a first-come, first served-basis. There is no wait list for HYI market rent units. Information on future market rent units, including rent and move-in dates, will be available closer to the end of construction. Residents interested in market rent units available from HYI can visit york.ca/MarketRentHYI for more information.

To receive the latest updates, please sign up for the project e-newsletter. If you have questions or would like to learn more about this community housing development, please email your Community Liaison, at @email or call 289-338-8063.