The federal government is chipping in more than $13.2 million for an affordable housing project in Old East Village that will give people struggling with mental health disabilities a place to live.
Minister of Housing, Diversity, and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen announced the funding Friday to create 72 units at the Embassy Commons which is being built at 740 Dundas Street.
"This project will not simply provide a roof over the heads of the most vulnerable members of our community, it will also create a long term positive impact on the lives of the people who need it the most," said Hussen. "That means a vulnerable person in need will have a reliable home they can count on with access to mental health supports and other important services that they can use to improve their lives."
The building, which is already under construction, will include accessible common areas with community kitchens and a landscaped courtyard. The ground floor of the building will have commercial tenants including a bike repair shop, a cafe, and a pharmacy.
Rent for the building will be geared toward the income of each tenant, said Jeff Neven, CEO of Indwell, the Hamilton-based charity that is operating the project.
"Many of our tenants are on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and as such the rent will be linked to their income," said Neven. "Most of the one bedroom units will be under $600 a month and the two bedroom units will be slightly more than that which is about half the rate right now to rent an apartment [in London]. These units will be both deeply affordable and there will be supports provided to help these people stay housed."
The total cost of the Embassy Commons is roughly $22 million. The City of London previously committed $4 million to the project and another $2 million was raised through community donations.
"This is exactly the kind of project we need to see to meet the needs of the people who are struggling the most in our community," said City Councilor Jesse Helmer, whose ward the building is being constructed in. "This project is a wonderful example of what needs to be done and it needs to be done on a significant scale. I'm really happy to see this kind of investment."
Construction of the building is expected to be completed by June.
