Housing project aims to address need for affordable units

By Steve Pecar, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

A subsidized housing project in Markham could be ready for residents to move in as early as 2027.

The Box Grove Community Housing Development will be located at the southwest corner of 14th Avenue and Donald Cousens Parkway. The site itself is 2.5 acres on region-owned land that is currently vacant.

When complete, the project will have 153 residential dwellings with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units on six floors.

A project of York Region, the development is currently going through the approval process by the City of Markham and, if all goes according to plan, construction could begin sometime next year. It is expected to be ready for occupation by 2027 or 2028 at the latest. It will be operated by Housing York Inc., York Region’s housing company.

According to information from the region, as growth continues across York the housing supply has not kept pace with the needs of residents. Right now the wait list for affordable housing can be as long as eight years. As such, York Region councillors declared a housing affordability crisis in 2021.

“Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges facing the region today,” reads a statement on the York Region website. “At the end of 2023, there were more than 15,700 households on York Region’s subsidized housing waitlist.”

The project’s goal is to provide subsidized or affordable rent to households with low and moderate incomes.

The site is located near shopping and other amenities such as schools, medical offices, daycare, the Box Grove Community Centre and Rouge National Park. The site is also served by York Region Transit.

Currently, the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee is looking into how to incorporate accessible design and accessibility features into the proposed community. One-third of those on wait lists are seniors and several have requested an accessible unit.

To be considered are the designs of the suites, outdoor amenity spaces, exterior and interior paths of travel, and transit connectivity.

As well, a community liaison committee made up of residents and business owners is involved in the project.

The liaison committee is working with York Region staff to provide input and address issues throughout the planning and construction phases. The committee is also exploring opportunities to integrate the development into the surrounding neighbourhood.

“We continue to incorporate feedback and make improvements to the plans while remaining dedicated to future engagement through the project’s community liaison committee,” continues the website message. “By working with the city and our neighbours throughout the planning and design process, we can address community considerations and build an inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home.”