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The City of Toronto officially opened Dunn House – Canada’s first-ever social medicine supportive housing initiative. The development at 90 Dunn Ave. has been delivered through the City of Toronto’s innovative partnership with the University Health Network (UHN) and United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT), in conjunction with the project’s housing provider, Fred Victor.
Located in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, the new four-storey modular housing building includes 51 new rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness who are also UHN patients with high volumes of emergency department visits and in-patient admissions. The building includes 15 accessible homes and provides amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen, a dining area, a communal area and a dedicated clinical space.
Future tenants of Dunn House will pay no more than 30 per cent of their income or the shelter allowance of their social assistance on rent. They will also benefit from wrap-around social and health services provided by Fred Victor and UHN aimed at improving their well-being and housing stability.
“The innovative supportive housing initiative at 90 Dunn Ave. is a great example of how partnerships across governments, the non-profits and the health care sector can work together to support people and address homelessness. The City is honoured to be part of this historic collaboration that brings to life Canada’s first-ever social medicine housing initiative. This site will bring meaningful change to the lives of the people moving into these homes and help guide our ongoing response to Toronto’s housing and homelessness crises,” said Mayor Olivia Chow.
Developed by the UHN Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine in consultation with the City and other partners, the Social Medicine Initiative is centred on integrating social determinants of health such as housing and food security, into care delivery and partnering with community organizations to improve the quality of care provided to vulnerable and marginalized populations.
“The federal government will always step up to support those in need of affordable and supportive housing from coast to coast to coast. The official opening of 90 Dunn Ave. was made possible with over $14 million in funding from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative. It marks a significant milestone for our community and represents our commitment to creating more homes that provide stability, support, and comfort. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this project, and I hope the new residents find great happiness in their new homes,” said Arif Virani, Minister of Justice, and MP for Parkdale-High Park.
The social medicine-led approach delivered at this supportive housing project will help future residents attain improved well-being and better health outcomes that can benefit the broader community and reduce the increasing burden on the city’s shelter and healthcare systems.
Through the Social Medicine Initiative, UHN and Fred Victor will work with the City’s shelter and street outreach teams to identify individuals who are unhoused and are frequently admitted to the hospital through the UHN emergency departments. Tenants at Dunn House will have access to a range of health and social services to be delivered onsite and will also be connected to primary care and other health services within the UHN’s Parkdale campus.
“Evidence has demonstrated the inextricable relationship between housing and health. As Canada’s largest hospital and research system, UHN recognizes that basic needs like stable housing, food security and income are just as integral to a healthy society as an effective hospital system. A Canadian-first, UHN social medicine housing integrates health care services with community-based supports for our most medically and socially complex patients with the highest utilization of emergency department and hospital readmissions. We are grateful to all orders of government, our partners and valued donors for helping us realize this vision which we hope will be a model to strengthen the health of Canadians and our health system,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, president & CEO, University Health Network.
Dunn House has been supported by all orders of government and non-profit housing partners, with continued engagement with the local community. The building was constructed on UHN land, previously used as parking lot, that was leased to the City to build supportive housing.
“Our region is strongest when we support our most vulnerable members. Social Medicine at 90 Dunn Ave. is not just about providing housing; it’s about creating a supportive home, connected to and part of a neighbourhood. United Way Greater Toronto is proud to be funding a welcoming community kitchen, serving many who have faced food insecurity and lacked the camaraderie of a shared dining table. This opening marks the starting line for both the residents moving in and this innovative model of care.? We look to the future, ready to build on this foundation, and do more to support those in need,” said Daniele Zanotti, president & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto.
The project is the result of strong intergovernmental partnerships, including $14 million in capital funding through the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), City capital funding, incentives and project delivery, as well as approximately $1.53 million annually in operating funding for wraparound support services from the Province of Ontario. This operating funding is part of a $48 million provincial commitment to various supportive housing projects made in 2023. The City has requested the Province renew its funding commitment for another three years to ensure the ongoing stability of support services in over 3,000 existing supportive homes in Toronto.
“Fred Victor is proud to bring our 100+ years of experience helping people rebuild their lives to this social medicine housing initiative. It’s clear that the solution to homelessness is more housing – transitional housing, supported housing and deeply affordable housing in every neighbourhood of our city. Collaborating across sectors is an innovative step in the right direction. People can’t improve their health, maintain employment, care for themselves or those they love without a home. Home is the first step. This project is a shining example of what we need to be doing more of in our city and beyond,” said Keith Hambly, CEO, Fred Victor. |
