jayzie
New Member
From today's National Post. Although this "development" is in Riverside - I think it impacts the east side as a whole. I can't imagine the people who bought at Edge will be too happy.
A new kind of homeless shelter is to be built in South Riverdale, but some in the quickly gentrifying neighbourhood are concerned the area is already at a limit for social housing.
The dilapitated New Edwin hotel is undergoing a $5-million makeover into ‘‘transitional’’ housing for about 30 homeless, who will live there for up to three years as they adapt to permanent housing.
“We’re calling this the first step into home,” said Rima Zavys, director of homelessness and housing help services for WoodGreen Community Services, which bought the Edwin, on Queen Street East near Broadview Avenue, on April 1.
It is the first project of its kind in Ontario. The tenants — the homeless as well as those who have mental health or substance abuse issues — will be expected to pay a portion of their rent, but will receive support from on-site counselors.
The home will have a zero guest policy to help residents make a clean break from the streets, said Ms. Zavys.
Momiji Kishi, a barista at the nearby Dark Horse Espresso Bar, said chic boutiques and trendy restaurants are transforming the area, known as Riverside, and the new housing project may change its new face.
“I think it totally affects the neighborhood,” said Ms. Kishi, who added she currently does not see a lot of homeless people in the area.
Pastry House employee Saradh Arachchide said the business moved into Riverside six months ago because of the changing nature of the neighbourhood, which includes the venerable Jilly’s strip club at the corner but also the Soma martini bar and other newer destinations.
“Before, the strip club down the street was the major issue but I heard this news and I think this will be a major concern,” said Mr. Arachchide.
Trevor McCarthy, manager of Prohibition, a new oyster bar that opened in October a few doors down from the New Edwin, likened Riverside to nearby Leslieville, which has been transformed into one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Condo developers Brad Lamb and Streetcar Developments are both planning major projects within a block or two.
“[The neighbourhood] is becoming so gentrified it’s crazy. It’s like condo condo condo, new businesses, it’s all hot property,” said Mr. McCarthy. “There is a certain element in this area that is slowly being filtered out.’’
Saeed Mohamed opened the Burger Shoppe a few doors down from the New Edwin about a year ago and said he had no problem with the transitional housing site, so long as it didn’t bring more such projects to the area.
“Social housing is definitely needed in the area. But there’s a limit to it. We’re probably pushing the maximum capacity here,” he said. The neighbourhood currently houses many social agencies and is also home to Don Mount Court, a public housing project being demolished in favour of a mixed-income development that includes public housing.
Beata Brutovska, owner of Ambiance Chocolat, a new boutique selling original chocolates, said it was the mixed character of the neighborhood that originally attracted her to the area.
“We liked the neighborhood for its eclecticity,” she said.
Ms. Brutovska said the mixed incomes give the community a nice balance. “I think we co-exist nicely, I’ve never had any problems,” she said, adding that there was one particular homeless person she said hello to every day.
The New Edwin, originally built at the turn of the century, was last owned by a private landlord who let rooms at monthly and weekly rates and housed up to 56 low-income men.
The new homeless facility will hold 28-30 individual units, each with a bathroom, kitchenette and sleeping area. Nearly $4-million in government funding will help pay for the renovations.
The tenants will be referred by Toronto’s Streets to Homes program, and must display a willingness to get off the streets, said Ms. Zavys.
A new kind of homeless shelter is to be built in South Riverdale, but some in the quickly gentrifying neighbourhood are concerned the area is already at a limit for social housing.
The dilapitated New Edwin hotel is undergoing a $5-million makeover into ‘‘transitional’’ housing for about 30 homeless, who will live there for up to three years as they adapt to permanent housing.
“We’re calling this the first step into home,” said Rima Zavys, director of homelessness and housing help services for WoodGreen Community Services, which bought the Edwin, on Queen Street East near Broadview Avenue, on April 1.
It is the first project of its kind in Ontario. The tenants — the homeless as well as those who have mental health or substance abuse issues — will be expected to pay a portion of their rent, but will receive support from on-site counselors.
The home will have a zero guest policy to help residents make a clean break from the streets, said Ms. Zavys.
Momiji Kishi, a barista at the nearby Dark Horse Espresso Bar, said chic boutiques and trendy restaurants are transforming the area, known as Riverside, and the new housing project may change its new face.
“I think it totally affects the neighborhood,” said Ms. Kishi, who added she currently does not see a lot of homeless people in the area.
Pastry House employee Saradh Arachchide said the business moved into Riverside six months ago because of the changing nature of the neighbourhood, which includes the venerable Jilly’s strip club at the corner but also the Soma martini bar and other newer destinations.
“Before, the strip club down the street was the major issue but I heard this news and I think this will be a major concern,” said Mr. Arachchide.
Trevor McCarthy, manager of Prohibition, a new oyster bar that opened in October a few doors down from the New Edwin, likened Riverside to nearby Leslieville, which has been transformed into one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Condo developers Brad Lamb and Streetcar Developments are both planning major projects within a block or two.
“[The neighbourhood] is becoming so gentrified it’s crazy. It’s like condo condo condo, new businesses, it’s all hot property,” said Mr. McCarthy. “There is a certain element in this area that is slowly being filtered out.’’
Saeed Mohamed opened the Burger Shoppe a few doors down from the New Edwin about a year ago and said he had no problem with the transitional housing site, so long as it didn’t bring more such projects to the area.
“Social housing is definitely needed in the area. But there’s a limit to it. We’re probably pushing the maximum capacity here,” he said. The neighbourhood currently houses many social agencies and is also home to Don Mount Court, a public housing project being demolished in favour of a mixed-income development that includes public housing.
Beata Brutovska, owner of Ambiance Chocolat, a new boutique selling original chocolates, said it was the mixed character of the neighborhood that originally attracted her to the area.
“We liked the neighborhood for its eclecticity,” she said.
Ms. Brutovska said the mixed incomes give the community a nice balance. “I think we co-exist nicely, I’ve never had any problems,” she said, adding that there was one particular homeless person she said hello to every day.
The New Edwin, originally built at the turn of the century, was last owned by a private landlord who let rooms at monthly and weekly rates and housed up to 56 low-income men.
The new homeless facility will hold 28-30 individual units, each with a bathroom, kitchenette and sleeping area. Nearly $4-million in government funding will help pay for the renovations.
The tenants will be referred by Toronto’s Streets to Homes program, and must display a willingness to get off the streets, said Ms. Zavys.
