Toronto

Project: 247 Drewry Ave, North York, ON,M2M 1E3,

Program Overview

The Toronto City Council has approved a plan allowing for the construction of multi-unit residences to meet the growing demand for housing.

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Project Co-Founder: Lin,Hua，Chen,Xue

247 Drewry Ave, North York, ON,M2M 1E3

DESIGN CONCEPT
The concept for this project is to create five units within the existing home and a new garden suite.

PROJECT AREAS
Design work encompasses interior renovations to the main house and a new-construction garden suite, as indicated below.

DESIGN PROGRAM

Our scope of work includes design services for the following project elements:

Main House

  • 4 units, each appx. 2,700sq.ft.
  • Open concept living-dining-kitchen
  • Up to 5 bedrooms per unit, each with ensuite washrooms and space for kitchenettes· In-unit laundry and mechanical systems·Individual entrances, no common space

 Garden Suite

  • By-law maximum size w/ basement
  • 4 bedroom minimum, ensuites are preferred. In-unit laundry and mechanical systems

Site Design

  • Minimum 6 car parking
  • Dedicated outdoor space for each unit

Toronto​

Toronto's Ambitious
Housing Growth Plan:

285,000 New Units in 8 Years, a 23% Increase

Housing Challenges and Government Response

  • Anticipating 70,000 new residents by 2051, Toronto faces escalating housing prices and rents, highlighting affordability issues.
  • The government approves the conversion of detached houses into four units and commits to constructing 285,000 new housing units in the next eight years.

Approval of Multi-Unit Residential Construction

  • On May 10th, the council voted 18:7 in favor of allowing multi-unit residential construction in all communities.
  • Independent houses can be demolished, replaced with low-rise housing containing two, three, or four units, enhancing housing diversity in various regions. 

Construction Challenges and Solutions

The city implements a multifaceted strategy to address construction challenges.

    • Revision of official planning, zoning, and criteria
    • Strengthening key growth areas
    • Advancing housing policy initiatives
    • Training and industry strategies for building market capacity
    • Utilizing public land to increase housing supply
    • Safeguarding existing rental housing stock

Implementation Details, Collaboration, and Conclusion

  • Implementation through the “2022-2026 Housing Action Plan” and the “2020-2030 Housing Action Plan.”
  • Facing uncontrollable factors, collaboration with other levels of government and community engagement is crucial.
  • The initiatives will reshape the delivery of new housing, and comprehensive collaboration is essential to ensure the realization of housing goals.

Toronto​

Addressing Toronto's
Rental Housing Gap

Ambitious Plan to Construct 65,000 Units Faces Funding Challenges

Toronto's Ambitious Housing Plan

  • City Council Overwhelmingly Approves Bold Affordable Housing Construction Plan
  • Funding Challenges Pose a Barrier to Current Government Housing Initiatives
  • Mayor Olivia Chow aims to invest $36 billion over the next seven years to build 65,000 rental units.
  • The proposed budget is not currently allocated in the municipal budget, sparking intense debates on funding sources.

Budget Breakdown and Government Support

 

      • Government secures funds for 4,455 housing units; additional 60,545 units require an estimated $28.6 to $31.5 billion.
      • Approximately $800 million annually is expected from federal and provincial governments, with a plea for immediate federal action.

Council Approval and Varied Housing Approaches

  • City Council votes 24-1 to build 65,000 rental units by 2030, addressing the critical need for controlled rental housing.
  • Diverse housing strategies proposed, raising questions about the city’s role as a builder on public land, potentially excluding private developers.
  • Debate centers around the city government’s capability as a public builder, with concerns about efficiency, speed, and cost.

Council's Humanitarian Call and Land Usage Strategies

    • City Council signs a letter and motion urging the federal government to open military facilities as shelters.
    • Mayor Chow highlights the urgent need for federal and provincial support to address the homelessness crisis, with 300 nightly rejections.
    • Council votes to consider using city-owned land for permanent or temporary housing.
    • A report on this matter is expected from city officials by April 2024, exploring the possibility of acquiring surplus school board properties for shelter purposes.