New Rapid Housing Projects to Support Vulnerable Residents
Important Update
People experiencing homelessness in York Region that are seeking immediate shelter are asked to contact the Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140. Please visit york.ca/emergencyhousing for more information.
The need and demand for affordable housing remains high across York Region. Now more than ever, our residents need supports to prevent housing loss as well as affordable, long-term housing options so that they can focus on rebuilding their lives without the daily burden of wondering where they will be living a day, week or year from now.
To help address this need and help more people find safe, secure and affordable housing, the Region is exploring opportunities to increase the supply of housing in our communities. Through a range of acceleration methods, the Region is aiming to have units ready for occupancy much faster than the traditional timeline for housing developments.
New - Transitional Housing Developments
The Bridge in the Town of Georgina and Passage House in the Town of East Gwillimbury were funded through the Province of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) Phase 2 allocation. The SSRF Phase 2 was designed to ensure vulnerable people, including youth, have access to longer-term housing and to mitigate the ongoing risk of homelessness.
The Bridge, Town of Georgina
Eight additional transitional housing units have been constructed on a vacant portion of Housing York Inc.’s Sutton Youth Services site located at 20898 Dalton Road. These new transitional units include a high-quality design that is compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood, sustainable building practices and accessible features throughout the site. Residents will be welcomed to The Bridge in summer 2023.
The Bridge will help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness find transitional rental housing, allowing them to focus on gaining employment skills, pursuing further education and increasing life stability.
As the current operator of Sutton Youth Services and an emergency housing provider for York Region, the Salvation Army will provide on-site services to clients in the new housing units.
Passage House, Town of East Gwillimbury
Passage House, the new 18-unit transitional housing development, began welcoming residents in fall 2022. Passage House is located on The Landing campus at 18838 Highway 11. Two existing emergency housing facilities are currently located on this site: Porter Place for men and Leeder Place for families. Passage House will help create additional capacity for transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Blue Door Support Services operates the additional transitional housing units and provides individualized supports to help individuals live independently and move into permanent housing, which will help people build healthy lives and create stable communities.
This is the first time the Region has used prefabricated construction for a Housing development. Prefabricated construction uses components made off-site in a factory, which are then transported and assembled on-site to create a structure. The innovative construction process reduces the amount of time needed to complete the building and will help address urgent housing needs.
Watch the new building take shape in the video below.
Where can I get more information?
To learn more about the projects and other new and proposed community housing developments visit york.ca/HousingDevelopments
Frequently asked questions
What is rapid housing?
Rapid housing includes prefabricated, factory-built homes that are transported and assembled on a permanent foundation. Rapid housing through prefabricated construction is an innovative and sustainable solution that will add capacity to York Region’s affordable housing supply. Prefabricated construction has recently been implemented across Canada for several affordable and supportive housing projects. This type of housing can be constructed and installed quickly compared to traditionally built housing. By using prefabricated construction on existing HYI properties, the Region will have more options for rapid housing.
What is transitional housing?
Transitional housing provides a safe, secure and supportive environment for those seeking affordable housing in the community. It is meant to bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing by offering temporary accommodation with individualized supports to help people stay housed.
While transitional housing is more long-term and private than emergency housing, it is time limited. Individuals, couples and families living in transitional housing generally stay for three months to one year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, an emergency or transitional housing facility can provide immediate temporary housing and support. Learn more about the available supports and eligibility requirements at york.ca/emergencyhousing
What is affordable housing?
Community housing provides an affordable rental option for households who do not have enough income or assets to pay market rent. Approximately 5,000 community housing units are available across York Region through subsidized housing providers, including HYI properties, non-profit, cooperative housing, among others. Housing York Inc. (HYI) is York Region’s housing company and the largest community housing provider in York Region.
Why were these sites selected?
These sites were selected based on development potential, existing on-site support services, proximity to amenities and planning considerations such as site servicing.
What is the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF)?
The Province’s Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF) was created to protect the health and safety of Ontario’s most vulnerable people with a focus to mitigate ongoing risks, especially in congregate settings and to encourage longer-term housing-based solutions to homelessness. York Region’s two transitional housing projects in East Gwillimbury and Georgina are funded by the SSRF Phase 2 allocation. A total of $7.3 million in provincial funding has been allocated to construct and install new transitional housing across two sites in York Region: 20898 Dalton Road and 18838 Highway 11.
Why is this housing needed?
Housing is one of the most important social determinants of health. Lack of stable housing can have negative physical and mental health impacts resulting in disruptions to employment, education, social supports, access to services, food security and social inclusion.
Having safe, secure and affordable housing for all residents is the foundation of community well-being. The demand for affordable housing remains high across York Region. Finding affordable housing in York Region is often difficult with limited options for vulnerable populations to find appropriate, safe and suitable housing with the right level of supports to help retain housing.
These rapid housing projects will add capacity to York Region’s affordable housing supply and contribute to our goal of creating longer-term housing solutions for vulnerable populations.
Will there be accessible units?
A minimum of 15 per cent of all units will be fully accessible (as per accessibility requirements). Accessibility features include exterior ramps, barrier-free showers, wheelchair accessible sinks, and room designs to accommodate wheelchair turning radius. Construction will reflect universal accessibility features and inclusive design principles wherever possible.
How will this benefit the people living there and the surrounding community?
The sites were selected because of the existing on-site services and close proximity to transportation and services. Providing people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness with safe and stable housing helps strengthen the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. Through transitional housing, individualized supports are provided to help individuals live independently and move into permanent housing. Everyone deserves a place to call home. Safe, secure and affordable housing helps people build lives and create stable communities.
Sutton Youth Services Transitional Housing Project Resources
- Project Overview
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #5 Presentation - February 24, 2022
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #4 Presentation – November 25, 2021
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #3 Presentation - September 29, 2021
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #2 Presentation - July 29, 2021
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #1 Presentation - May 27, 2021
- Public Information Centre - March 18, 2021
- Public Information Centre Video Recording – March 18, 2021
- Presentation to Town of Georgina Council - January 13, 2021
Town of East Gwillimbury Transitional Housing Project Resources
- Project Overview
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #4 Presentation - February 22, 2022
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #3 Presentation - October 26, 2021
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #2 Presentation - August 24, 2021
- Community Liaison Committee Meeting #1 Presentation - June 29, 2021
- Public Information Centre - April 21, 2021
- Public Information Centre Video Recording – April 21, 2021
- Presentation to Town of East Gwillimbury Council – March 23, 2021
Related Resources
- Emergency and Transitional Housing in York Region
- iCount – York Region’s 2018 Homelessness Count
- Manufactured Housing in Canada
- National Housing Strategy
- Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) - CMHC
- Ontario Helps Create Safe and Affordable Housing in York Region
- Ontario Helps Municipalities and Indigenous Partners Respond to COVID-19
- York Region Street Outreach Services