Scarborough’s Eglinton East area is set to become home to Canada’s largest new co-operative housing project in over three decades. Kennedy Green, located at 2444 Eglinton Avenue East, officially broke ground today, marking a significant step towards addressing affordable housing needs in the GTA. The project, situated opposite Kennedy GO and TTC station (the current terminus of Danforth Line 2 and the future eastern terminus of Eglinton Line 5), will deliver 612 rent-controlled homes.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Mayor Olivia Chow, MP Salma Zahid, Councillor Michael Thompson, and representatives from CreateTO, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT), Windmill Development Group, and Civic Developments. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of partnerships in tackling Toronto’s housing challenges. Mayor Chow emphasized the City’s investment of over $35 million and the record-breaking speed of project approval, highlighting the commitment to creating a more affordable city.
Kennedy Green will consist of three towers, ranging from 18 to 40 storeys. The development is planned in two phases. The initial phase will focus on constructing the two co-op towers. A subsequent phase will introduce a 31-storey market residential tower, adding 307 units and bringing the total number of homes to 919. The co-op component will offer a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. Notably, half of these units will be designated as affordable rental units, while the other half will be market-rate co-op units. Furthermore, at least 33% of the affordable co-op homes and 15% of the market co-op homes are planned as accessible units.
Federal support, totaling $289 million through the Co-operative Housing Development Program, is a crucial component of the project’s funding. This represents the largest single federal investment in a co-op housing project in decades, demonstrating a strong commitment to co-operative housing models. The project also aligns with the City’s HousingTO objectives, which aim to create 65,000 rent-controlled homes by 2030.
Designed by Henriquez Partners Architects, Kennedy Green incorporates sustainable features, including a geothermal energy system, Toronto Green Standard v4 Tier 2 performance, and the City’s first application of the One Planet Living Framework. Construction of the co-op towers is targeted for completion in 2029. This project serves as a model for future developments, showcasing the potential for collaboration and innovation in addressing the GTA’s housing needs.
