Na-Me-Res opens non-profit housing in Toronto, providing permanent homes for Indigenous men experiencing homelessness
TORONTO, ON – On July 22, Na-Me-Res, a not-for-profit dedicated to providing housing, skills training, and cultural reconnection to Indigenous men experiencing homelessness in Toronto, opened the doors to a new residence at 218 Carlton Street, named Migize Pazaagwii Gamik, meaning Uplifting Place of the Bald Eagle.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial that Indigenous people in Toronto have access to culturally appropriate supports to secure stable, safe, and affordable housing. Our new Carlton Street affordable housing project marks the first of three builds we are developing to help address the crisis of Indigenous people facing and experiencing homelessness in this city and to provide them with the dignity they deserve,” said Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res. “Fifteen per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto are Indigenous – even though we only make up 0.5 per cent of the city’s population. This imbalance is the source of our mission at Na-Me-Res, to help homeless Indigenous men rediscover their mino bimaadiziwin – living a good life in health.”
Leading Toronto real estate developer MOD Developments purchased the property in 2019 as a public benefit in conjunction with its residential development at 55 Charles Street East. The intent was to produce a meaningful contribution that would create new affordable housing. The site was chosen because it had previously been converted to office uses and bringing it back to residential use added much-needed inventory to Toronto’s affordable housing market. MOD undertook an extensive renovation of the 1877 Victorian mansion, transforming the space into a multi-unit residential building. The site and completed project have since been conveyed to the City of Toronto, and the property is now fully operated by Na-Me-Res.
“The transformation of 218 Carlton Street into affordable housing has been in progress for the past few years, and we’re proud to see this important project come to fruition,” said Gary Switzer, CEO of MOD Developments. “We believe in complete communities, which includes constructing homes that are accessible to all and addressing homelessness. The preservation of a heritage home and the creation of new affordable units stands as a testament to achieving this goal.”
An opening ceremony, attended by Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Chris Moise, Steve Teekens, and Gary Switzer, was held earlier in the day for stakeholders and partners to commemorate the project’s completion.
“The City is pleased to see this project come to life through our Section 37 Agreement with MOD Developments. The new affordable rental property at 218 Carlton Street that is owned by the City of Toronto and operated by Na-Me-Res will serve to alleviate the homelessness crisis that disproportionately impacts Indigenous men in Toronto,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “This site offers deeply affordable homes that are supported by City-funded rent supplements, which ensures tenants pay no more than 30 per cent of their income.”
Migize Pazaagwii Gamik has nine units currently occupied by Na-Me-Res clients transitioning to permanent housing. Migize Pazaagwii Gamik provides must-needed affordable and supportive rental housing for single Indigenous males, and includes dedicated support, cultural re-connection, and counselling from Na-Me-Res.
“Affordable and supportive housing are critically needed right now in Toronto,” said Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre). “I am grateful that through the City’s partnership with Na-Me-Res, and with the community benefits contribution from MOD Developments, we were able to revitalize a heritage property and deliver nine new permanent, self-contained, affordable homes to support our marginalized Indigenous men who are over-represented in Toronto’s homeless community.”
To learn more about Na-Me-Res and its initiatives, please visit: www.nameres.org
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Na-Me-Res
Michelle Easton
michelle@eastoncc.ca, (416) 454- 9060
MOD Developments Inc.
Andrea Gambardella, ORA Creative Agency
andrea@oracreativeagency.com
City of Toronto
media@toronto.ca
About Na-Me-Res:
Since 1985, Na-Me-Res has provided outreach, temporary, transitional and permanent housing to Indigenous men living on the streets of Toronto through a culture-based approach that addresses the holistic needs of its clients. Na-Me-Res helps Indigenous men find their way back to pride and self-determination and firmly believes that the cure for homelessness is affordable housing. The Toronto-based non-profit organization is on a mission to provide safe and deeply affordable units to their Indigenous clients who are homeless or have experienced homelessness, and they are currently working on multiple affordable housing projects and a men’s low-barrier shelter in collaboration with the City of Toronto.
In keeping true to its mission of caring for the whole person, Na-Me-Res also operates an Indigenous Health Clinic (22 Vaughan Road, Toronto) called Auduzhe Mino Nesewinong, which means the Place of Healthy Breathing. Auduzhe provides primary care services to the Indigenous population across Toronto.
Website: nameres.org
About MOD Developments Inc.
Founded in 2009, MOD Developments is one of Toronto’s preeminent development firms committed to paying homage to our city’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, while building sophisticated residences of the future. Purveyors of design excellence, MOD specializes in high-density development with a focus on heritage preservation, sustainable construction practices and city-building. MOD has won several industry awards (including multiple BILD Project of the Year wins) and currently has multiple high-rise projects in Toronto collectively representing over 2,800 homes. For more information, please visit www.moddevelopments.com.
About the City of Toronto
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca.