A unique Toronto pilot to allow medical professionals to prescribe at-risk patients with affordable housing to reduce homelessness and pressure on emergency rooms will be expanded.
A proposal pioneered by the University Health Network in 2023 transformed a parking lot near King Street West and Jameson Avenue into modular housing for the hospital to fill.
The project created 51 units which could be offered to those in need of affordable housing, homelessness support and additional care. It opened in 2024.
Early data suggest that prescribed affordable housing took a major strain off the hospital. Emergency room visits dropped by 52 per cent and the amount of time residents were in hospital beds fell by 79 per cent.
Get weekly health news
Now, the federal government is offering funding to expand the concept to a new, 54-unit development in Toronto’s Parkdale area.
Ottawa will pitch $21.6 million for the development, Ontario will offer $2.6 million in annual operating funds and the City of Toronto will lead the construction of the modular units.
“This investment will deliver urgently needed supportive housing for those who need it most,” federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson said in a statement.
“By embracing modern construction methods, we can reduce build times, cut material waste, and lessen environmental impacts. When we pair innovation with compassion, we create homes that strengthen communities and provide vulnerable Canadians with the stability and care they deserve.”
Kevin Smith, CEO of UHN, said the initial results of the housing pilot showed success both in relieving strain on the health-care system and improving the lives of its residents.
“Dunn House has generated strong early evidence demonstrating the essential role of secure housing in improving health outcomes for individuals for whom emergency departments too often serve as the front door to care,” he said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful to our government partners for their historic investment, which enables the next phase of this work—applying the Dunn House model to provide focused housing for at-risk seniors who are frequent users of emergency rooms, strengthening the continuum of care while reducing avoidable strain on the healthcare system.”
Comments