Another 989 Affordable Units on the Way in Toronto

The Housing Now program, née Open Door, is producing results in Canada's largest city.

1 minute read

September 26, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ontario

Thomas CHANG / Shutterstock

"Mayor John Tory’s signature affordable housing plan is moving forward after the city’s realty agency signed off on business cases for four sites," report Jennifer Pagliaro and Emily Mathieu.

"The sites range in size and location, from a plot less than an acre in midtown Toronto to a sprawling eight acres at a site in North York. The other two in Scarborough measure seven and two acres," according to the article.

The four projects are expected to include a total of 989 affordable housing units, averaging out to $189,000 for each unit. The numbers have increased a bit since Planetizen last picked up news about the program earlier this month, when 651 units were progressing toward approval.

The program under discussion here, now called Housing Now instead of the original Open Door, is the centerpiece of Mayor Tory's efforts to deliver on a campaign promise to deliver a total of 40,000 affordable units over the next 12 years.

Through the program, the city provides financial contributions including capital funding and fees and property tax relief, fast-tracked planning approvals, and surplus public land, according to the program website.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 in Toronto Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

1 hour ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

1 hour ago - Newsweek

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

3 hours ago - domus

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.