Toronto plans about 200 supportive homes with health care access

The federal government, City of Toronto and University Health Network plan to create about 200 supportive homes across three Toronto sites for people experiencing homelessness and complex health needs.

• First site: About 80 deeply affordable homes near Toronto Western Hospital, with access to on-site health and social services. A non-profit housing provider will be selected through a City-led process.
• Two more sites: CreateTO will help find locations near the hospital. Details will come later.
• Funding: The federal government is investing more than $25 million through Build Canada Homes. The City plans to provide more than $19 million, subject to City Council approval, and the UHN Foundation will contribute $20 million.

The partners say the model combines stable housing with health and social supports. At Dunn House, early results showed emergency department visits fell by 52% and hospital bed days by 79% in the first year after residents moved in; the release reports about $2 million in related health-care cost savings.