Amid the city’s deepening housing crisis, cheers echoed after shovels hit the dirt in Etobicoke to build hundreds of apartments for low-income residents.

The 218 purpose-built affordable rental units are among the 725 residential homes being created in a partnership between the city and developers.

The development, being built by Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential Inc. at 5027 Dundas St. W. in partnership with CreateTO, is the first to begin construction under the city’s Housing Now initiative. Approved by council almost five years ago, the program uses city-owned land to create affordable housing and mixed-income communities near transit.

“We are excited we’re in the ground with this project in this particular area,” says Vic Gupta, CEO of CreateTO, Toronto’s real estate agency. 

Equally upbeat is Mwarigha, of Woodgreen Community Services, who sees firsthand how the lack of inexpensive homes affects Toronto’s most vulnerable citizens.

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