Housing York has a new design for the 250-unit affordable housing facility on Bayview Parkway in Newmarket.
Staff presented the new design during a Housing York board meeting Jan. 23, saying planning approvals are on track for 2025, with construction starting in 2026. A new design for the facility was completed in late 2024.
“We all know how important, essential, and needed this type of housing is,” Newmarket Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh said.
The building has been in the works for several years at the site of the former York Region headquarters at 62 Bayview Pkwy. The Housing York facility is expected to house hundreds of people affordably, and the region has committed funding to advance it despite a lack of funding from upper levels of government.
Housing York general manager Karen Antonio-Hadcock said staff ran updated design by the community liaison committee, as well.
Board chair Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said keeping up that community connection is vital.
“We really thrive there,” he said. “When you think long-term about the sustainability of Housing York you know the physical infrastructure is incredibly important but what goes on inside the buildings is equally important. And if you’ve got a strong sense of community in a building, that goes a long way.”
Housing York is also close to opening up Mosaic House in Whitchurch Stouffville, with 97 units at subsidized or market rates. The building is expected to open in March, with regional services also in place on the ground floor later on.
Antonio-Hadcock said the Bayview Parkway building would have some community space on the ground floor but not as much in terms of direct regional services, with many regional programs already available in Newmarket.
“More of a focus on what the community that lives in that building might need,” she said.