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A new affordable rental property opened last week in Cabbagetown, adding nine new one-bedroom units for unhoused Indigenous men transitioning to permanent housing. The city-owned property will be operated by Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res), a not-for-profit dedicated to providing housing, skills training, and cultural reconnection to Indigenous men living on the streets of Toronto. The new residence, at 218 Carlton Street, is named Migize Pazaagwii Gamik, meaning Uplifting Place of the Bald Eagle.
"Fifteen percent of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto are Indigenous – even though we only make up 0.5 percent of the city's population” said Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res. "Now more than ever it is crucial that Indigenous people in Toronto have access to culturally appropriate supports to secure stable, safe and affordable housing. Our new Carlton Street affordable housing project marks the first of three builds we are developing to help address the crisis of Indigenous people facing and experiencing homelessness in this city and to provide them with the dignity they deserve,” added Teekens.
Toronto real estate developer MOD Developments had purchased the property in 2019 as a public benefit in conjunction with its residential development at 55 Charles Street East. It undertook an extensive renovation of the 1877 Victorian mansion, transforming the space (previously converted to office uses) into a multi-unit residential building of affordable housing, which has since been conveyed to the City of Toronto.
A ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Steve Teekens and Gary Switzer, CEO of MOD Developments, was held last Monday.
“The City is pleased to see this project come to life through our Section 37 Agreement with MOD Developments. The new affordable rental property at 218 Carlton Street […] will serve to alleviate the homelessness crisis that disproportionately impacts Indigenous men in Toronto,” said Mayor Chow. “This site offers deeply affordable homes that are supported by City-funded rent supplements, which ensures tenants pay no more than 30 per cent of their income.”
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