An old, east-end hotel is being renovated as part of the largest shelter-to-housing project ever undertaken in Toronto.
As part of the Downtown East Action Plan to create more housing at a lower cost for Torontonians in the neighbourhood, a hotel which was used as a shelter during the pandemic is being renovated into affordable apartment rental units for a range of incomes.
“This plan aims to create safe and inclusive communities, trust and collaboration, stability for people who are marginalized, and to be a model for the City’s response to complex issues,” the City of Toronto said in a statement on Nov. 14.
From a shelter to a place to call home, welcome to 65 Dundas St E. 💙
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) November 14, 2024
Operated by @dixon_hall, 92 new deeply affordable homes have been created at this site through the first phase of renovations. Once renovations are complete in spring 2025, approximately 188 additional new… pic.twitter.com/cEiw2xLCtu
Located at 65 Dundas St. E, the highrise building, formerly known as the BonStreet Hotel, has now renovated 92 affordable studios and one-bedrooms, and 188 more units will be built by spring 2025.
The new renovations will include private bathrooms and kitchenettes, shared laundry, a dining area, as well as programming and tenant support spaces.
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At least 15 per cent of the apartments will be accessible for people with disabilities, and will be built to have washrooms with roll-in showers, a vanity, a toilet area, and grab bars and barrier-free paths throughout the suite.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow was on-site on Nov. 12 to celebrate the renovations with Dixie Hall, the non-profit organization who is leasing and managing the project.
To tackle the housing crisis, we need innovative solutions.
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) November 12, 2024
All three levels of government and @dixon_hall have come together to help transform the former Bond Street Hotel into permanent affordable rental housing with services to help folks get back on their feet. https://t.co/X8e7AfiDJi
The tenants of the building will be well-supported, according to a City of Toronto news release, which says that Dixon Hall is working with other community-based service and health-care providers, such as St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and the Inner City Health Associates to best support the residents..
Tenants will also have access to the health and wellness services, including medical and mental health care and meals and food security programs, amongst other services.
The building was initially leased to the City of Toronto to become a shelter in response to the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2022, the city acquired the property through federal funding under the Rapid Housing Initiative, which focuses on immediate housing needs, and began the renovation project with the goal of completion by 2025.
