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Craning and assembly have begun at 11 Brock Avenue, a major milestone for the City of Toronto‘s first affordable housing development delivered directly through the City’s Public Developer model. To rise four storeys high in Parkdale, the SvN-designed project is also the City’s first to employ mass timber for supportive housing, introducing 42 rent-geared-to-income units aimed at those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“This is a first for Toronto, the City’s first-ever affordable housing project built through the Public Developer model and using mass timber construction,” said Mayor Olivia Chow this morning at an event to celebrate the milestone. “At 11 Brock Avenue, we are working to build homes faster, greener, and with the supports people need to thrive.”
Adopted by City Council in 2024, the Public Developer model gives Toronto a direct role in delivering affordable housing on its own lands. The approach has the City set housing targets and accelerate approvals. 11 Brock Avenue is the first project under this framework, with additional sites at 35 Bellevue Avenue, 405 Sherbourne Street, 150 Queens Wharf Road, and 1113-1117 Dundas Street West set to follow.
The 4-storey, 19.02m high 11 Brock development will contain 42 units, split between 34 studios and 8 one-bedrooms. Each apartment will feature its own kitchen and bathroom, complemented by shared amenities including laundry, a communal kitchen, and space for resident programming. Built with prefabricated mass timber, the project will have no vehicular parking but accommodate 50 bicycles, ultimately exceeding Toronto Green Standard requirements.
All 42 homes at 11 Brock Avenue are rent-geared-to-income, capped at 30% of what tenants earn or the housing allowance provided through social assistance. The building is for people exiting homelessness or facing housing insecurity, with supports designed to promote long-term stability. Management of the building will fall to Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), which has supported the community for over 40 years with housing and integrated services.
“These homes are more than just apartment units; residents will have access to supports that help them live independently, connect with each other, and participate fully in the community so they do not have to face challenges alone,” said Barbara Domenech, Executive Director at PARC.
The project contributes to Toronto’s target of 18,000 new supportive homes by 2030, part of a wider strategy to reduce reliance on emergency measures. Supportive housing is significantly more cost-effective, averaging about $2,500 per month compared with $7,500 for shelter use and $14,000 for hospital stays. By expanding this housing stock, the City aims to relieve pressure on overstretched services while providing residents with stable, long-term solutions.
“Our Government works closely with municipalities to fight homelessness. This vital project, funded by the Government of Canada, will rapidly create 42 units of urgently needed housing for Toronto’s most vulnerable residents — and for those who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” shared the Honourable Karim Bardeesy and Member of Parliament for Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park.
The City acquired the 11 Brock site from the Province in 2019 for $3.25 million, paving the way for its redevelopment as supportive housing. Construction is backed by $21.6 million in federal funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative, alongside City contributions that include over $3.4 million in incentives, waived fees, and property tax relief. The City is urging the Province to renew its $48 million yearly commitment to existing supportive housing and add $16 million annually from 2026 to fund new projects.
“With an evolving housing crisis, we know now more than ever that we need housing types for all Torontonians,” said Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park), Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee.
Ground was broken on the project in late 2024, with completion now targeted for Fall 2026.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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