Chow broke ground on a new affordable housing project ahead of the budget debate

City officials helped break ground on Monday for a project that will see 201 new affordable rental homes built in Scarborough, as Mayor Olivia Chow aimed to highlight a key part of her agenda.

“Affordable housing means stronger communities in Toronto. The affordable housing site at 25 Sewells Road is a success story of collaboration between the federal and municipal government and the nonprofit sector,” Chow said. “To solve the housing crisis, we need homes and partnerships like this to create a sense of belonging for all.”

In 2025, a nine-story building will be completed at 25 Sewells Road. It will have 201 affordable rental homes comprising 100 one-bedroom, 83 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom apartments.

The eight-story building at the same address will be followed by 117 affordable rental homes with 68 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom units.

The buildings will be managed by the Brenyon Way charity and will feature amenities such as a community garden and communal dining area, and improvements to the existing play area to the south.

The subdivisions are funded in part by the city through $3.37 million in capital funding and $27 million in financial incentives, including property tax and development fee exemptions and permit fee exemptions. The federal government provides more than $15 million in financing and more than $79 million in repayable loans through the Affordable Housing Fund.

“I am thrilled to see the groundbreaking for this important affordable housing project in Scarborough,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvey, a spokesperson for Scarborough-Rouge Park. “Our community has a real and immediate need for affordable housing, and I am proud that the City of Toronto is taking concrete steps to meet that need. I can't wait to welcome our new neighbors when this building is finished.”

Affordable housing has been a key part of Chow's agenda, and the announcement comes just days before his first budget comes before the council for approval.

A poll released on the same day appears to have ended Chow's honeymoon with voters, with his approval rating dropping from the mid-70s last October to around 55 percent in the past few weeks.

The results show that Chow's popularity has fallen due to a 9.5 percent tax hike on homeowners. Parts of his budget, such as the level of police funding, have also faced some controversy.

However, the same poll on Monday showed that while Chow's popularity has fallen, about 36 per cent of Torontonians say affordable housing is the top issue facing the city, compared to 21 per cent who say it's transit and 17 per cent who say crime. was the main problem.

“I inherited a financial mess,” Chow said Monday in response to questions about his new poll numbers. He said his budget would help the city get out of a $1.8 billion deficit.

Chow's budget is scheduled to be discussed at a special City Council meeting on Wednesday.