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ywca elm centre : the solution

green, affordable, supportive

Through a competitive process, taking into consideration our credibility and expertise, YWCA Toronto was selected by the City of Toronto to create 300 new units of affordable and supportive housing for women and women-led families in the downtown core.

In partnership with Wigwamen Incorporated and The Jean Tweed Centre, the development will feature:

• 150 affordable units for single women and women-led families
• 100 supportive units for women with mental health issues and substance misuse, and their children
• 50 affordable units for families of Aboriginal ancestry – including 10 units designated for Aboriginal women fleeing violence
• 15 percent of these 300units will be for women aged 50+

These units will be self-contained, and range in size from one to three bedrooms.

YWCA Toronto is committed to working with those women who are the hardest to serve.  YWCA staff with expertise in areas such as trauma, employment, immigration, addictions and mental health and life skills will work with the tenants on an individual basis and will collaborate with colleagues to enhance the overall impact of the services provided. The immense value of this approach is the opportunity to build trust and support from which the women can begin to identify their potential to live a life where hope for the future is possible, and to become thriving, productive members of the community.       

YWCA Elm Centre is a turning point for YWCA Toronto, as it is our largest ever capital project and will have significant impact on the women we serve.

YWCA Elm Centre is currently the only development of its kind on Canada, and is the largest injection of affordable housing the City of Toronto has seen in many years.

"I would like to acknowledge the leadership of YWCA Toronto in helping house 300 women and women-led families in safe circumstances …
This is an extraordinary achievement."
-- Toronto Mayor David Miller, May 2007

For more information on how to support YWCA Elm Centre, please contact:
elmcentre [at] ywcatoronto [dot] org
416.961.8101 ext. 361

also see:

• the need
• a word about our partners
• fundraising success to date
• location
• our donors

YWCA Elm Centre brochure
YWCA Elm Centre operational sustainability
YWCA Elm Centre environmental sustainability
YWCA Elm Centre architectural renderings

in the news :

Toronto Star | july | Housing project gets nod
Globe & Mail | july | City approves women's housing
Toronto Star | july | Housing project expected to raise tempers

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