What to know
- 111 new affordable and supportive homes have opened at the Frankfort Family Reena Residence in Forest Hill, providing housing for people with disabilities, seniors and older adults facing cognitive decline or mental health challenges.
- Units range from studios to four-bedroom apartments, including 21 accessible units for people with mobility challenges. The residence is expected to house 168 people.
- Residents will pay no more than 30 per cent of their income toward rent, or the shelter allowance portion of their income support.
- Reena will provide 24/7 on-site support tailored to residents’ needs, while the building includes indoor and outdoor amenities designed to encourage both independence and community.
- The project was funded by all three levels of government and community partners, including $43.9 million from the federal government, $7.7 million from Ontario, $8.1 million from Toronto, and $35 million from Reena and its partners.
A new residence in Toronto will offer over 100 affordable and supportive housing units for people with disabilities, seniors, and older adults facing cognitive decline or mental health challenges.
The Frankfort Family Reena Residence is located at 165 Elm Ridge Dr. in the city’s Forest Hill neighbourhood in York.
The complex officially opened on Monday with the help of representatives from the City of Toronto, the provincial and federal governments, and Reena, a non-profit organization that promotes inclusion for people with diverse abilities, using a Jewish framework.
The building gives those in need access to apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments. They will also provide the opportunity to live in one of 21 accessible units for people with mobility challenges.
For rent, residents living in these units will not have to pay more than 30 per cent of their income, or the shelter allowance portion of their income support benefit.
Reena owns and operates the building, and has committed to providing 24/7 on-site support and services tailored to each resident’s needs.
The residence has both indoor and outdoor amenities, which were built with the intention to help residents foster community, as well as have their own independence.
The project was funded through all three levels of government, as well as Reena and other community partners.
The federal government provided more than $43.9 million through the third phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative.
The province contributed $7.7 million, while the City of Toronto provided another $8.1 million through its Rental Housing Supply Program. This included the waivers of development charges, and planning and building fees, as well as annual property tax exemptions for 99 years.
The Reena Foundation contributed $20 million, while Batay Reena, which develops and manages properties for Reena, contributed $15 million in equity.
In a media release on Monday, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow stated that the project shows what can happen through collaboration.
“The Frankfort Family Reena Residence demonstrates what can be achieved when all levels of government work together with non-profit partners toward a shared goal,” Chow said.
The residence is expected to provide homes for 168 people.
