New Emergency and Transitional Housing

Building community for everyone

A decision was made by Town of Aurora Council to not move forward with the planning application for emergency and transitional housing at 14452 Yonge Street. While this application was not approved, we did hear a lot of support for this type of housing in Aurora. York Region appreciates the comments we heard through the planning process and will consider them as we determine next steps in addressing the need for emergency and transitional housing. We remain committed to working with all our partners, including local municipalities, to address homelessness and help residents find and keep housing.

Supporting people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to find and keep housing

Across York Region, there is an urgent need to increase emergency and transitional housing capacity to meet the demand for services. Helping residents find and keep housing is a priority and aligns with our vision to create strong, caring and safe communities.

The planning application to permit construction and operation of emergency and transitional housing at 14452 Yonge Street in the Town of Aurora was for a new building centrally located in York Region, with a range of supports to help people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness develop important life skills, gain employment and work towards moving into permanent housing.

Community Liaison Committee

We are grateful to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) members for their support and active participation in the planning of this development. Their time and contributions helped ensure the community was aware of this important work and their voices were heard throughout. We will reengage with the CLC once plans for next steps are determined, however, we are not currently recruiting new members for the CLC.

Members of the CLC work closely with York Region staff to provide input and address issues throughout the planning and construction phases. The committee also explores opportunities to integrate the new housing development into the surrounding neighbourhood. Representatives include local residents, businesses and community groups. The CLC members address issues throughout the planning and construction period and act as community advocates.

Project History

Planning process

York Region began the planning process for new emergency and transitional housing in 2021. Regional planners carefully considered many factors before choosing 14452 Yonge Street as a preferred location in 2021 with community feedback incorporated.  Extensive consultations and formal meetings with municipalities throughout Ontario were undertaken to help develop the building’s form, features and inform the service delivery model.

A Zoning Bylaw Amendment and Site Plan Application required approval from Town of Aurora Council for construction to begin. Here are some of the actions taken in the planning process:

  • In June 2022, the Region submitted its first Zoning Bylaw Amendment application to the Town of Aurora.
  • The first public planning meeting took place on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. At this meeting, the Town of Aurora requested a second planning meeting be held to discuss the application further.
  • During the spring of 2023, York Regional Council received an update on the proposed development at 14452 Yonge Street to ensure alignment with Regional priorities.
  • In May 2023, the Region submitted a second Zoning Bylaw Amendment application responding to comments provided by the Town of Aurora, community members and other related planning authorities
  • The Region submitted a Site Plan Application to the Town of Aurora in June 2023.
  • A decision was made by Town of Aurora Council to not move forward with the planning application for emergency and transitional housing at 14452 Yonge Street
The proposed location: 14452 Yonge Street, Aurora
The proposed site at 14452 Yonge Street

The proposed site for this building is at 14452 Yonge Street, just south of Industrial Parkway South, in the Town of Aurora. The site is located centrally in York Region on a main transit corridor with access to places of employment as well as social and health services.

The property is already owned by York Region and the site will be co-located with the new Henderson Sewage Pumping Station, making it a fiscally responsible option for taxpayers. The proposed emergency and transitional housing will be located 34 metres from the Henderson Sewage Pumping Station. This distance is well within the standard practice across York Region and complies with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’s Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) requirements. Learn more by reviewing the Henderson Sewage Pumping Station fact sheet.

The site at 14452 Yonge Street

The emergency and traditional housing will be planned and constructed by York Region, owned by Housing York Inc. (HYI) and operated by a community-based service provider. HYI’s model focuses on supporting healthy communities through functional design, appropriate scale, proactive management and community support.

Past Public Consultations

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Presentations and Resources

Community Liaison Committee Presentations 

Homelessness in York Region

York Region is developing the Homelessness Service System Plan to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of residents experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, including exploring the creation of more emergency, transitional and longer-term housing options. Emphasis will be placed on priority areas including homelessness prevention, early intervention, housing stability, and designing a coordinated system response needed to address the issue holistically.

The Homelessness Service System Plan is a key component of the Region’s next 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

For more information, visit york.ca/PlanforHomelessness

Contact Information

If you would like more information about this housing development, future engagement opportunities, or the work of the Community Liaison Committee, please contact the project Community Liaison:

Phone: 289-338-8063
Email: @email

For general inquiries, please contact Access York:

Phone: 1-877-464-9675
TTY: 1-866-512-6228
Email: @email

If you or someone you know is at risk of or experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter, please contact York Region's Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140. This phone line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140
TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

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