Friday, October 2, 2026
Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, joined representatives from Build Canada Homes (BCH), the University Health Network (UHN), UHN Foundation and the City of Toronto to announce federal support for the next phase of Toronto’s Social Medicine Housing Initiative.
This commitment is part of a broader effort by UHN and the City of Toronto to scale the Social Medicine Housing Initiative across three sites, with the intent to add approximately 200 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness and living with complex health needs.
“This investment will deliver urgently needed supportive housing for those who need it most. When we pair innovation with compassion, we create homes that strengthen communities and provide vulnerable Canadians with the stability and care they deserve,” said Robertson.
As part of this initiative, Build Canada Homes will provide $25 million to support the construction of 80 supportive housing units at the first of the three sites. The broader initiative also includes a $20 million contribution from the UHN Foundation and $19 million from the City of Toronto. These investments will help advance efforts to bring health care and housing together. The broader expansion would bring the Social Medicine Housing Initiative to more than 300 homes overall, representing one of the most significant efforts in Canada to bring health care and housing together.
The model was first demonstrated through Dunn House, Canada’s first Social Medicine housing project which opened in 2024 and provides homes for 51 residents formerly experiencing homelessness. Early results showed a 52 per cent reduction in emergency department visits and a 79 per cent reduction in hospital length of stay among residents, generating approximately $2.1 million in hospital savings in less than two years.
“Dunn House proved something simple: housing is health care. When people moved into housing from the street and the shelter system, emergency department visits fell by more than half and hospital bed days dropped by nearly 80 per cent. That’s what happens when you treat the conditions that make people sick, not just the symptoms,” said Dr. Andrew Boozary, Founding Executive Director, Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, University Health Network.
Building on the success of the original Dunn House project, Build Canada Homes invested nearly $22 million in Dunn House Phase 2, called Spring House. The project, being delivered by CreateTO, the City of Toronto’s strategic real estate agency, will create 54 new supportive homes for seniors experiencing homelessness, with integrated health and community supports. The project is expected to break ground in late 2026.
“The Dunn House model is working. It’s helping people build stable lives, access vital resources, and stay off the street and out of the emergency room. This is a very Canadian solution: one that is compassionate, coordinated and comprehensive,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto.
Featured image: (Government of Canada)
