The University Health Network in Toronto is set to expand its innovative permanent housing initiative for homeless individuals who frequently utilize emergency services, a program that has proven highly beneficial for both residents and the hospital.
Following the success of Dunn House, constructed on a hospital-owned parking lot in Toronto’s west end, the network will replicate the project next door. Data indicates that the 48 residents at Dunn House had made close to 2,000 ER visits in the year before moving in. After a year, these residents reduced their emergency room visits by 52% and experienced a 79% decrease in their hospitalization duration.
Dr. Andrew Boozary, the director of UHN’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, emphasized that these residents often struggle with complex health issues like chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and substance abuse, leading them to cycle through emergency departments due to inadequate care and lack of stable housing.
Boozary, the mastermind behind Dunn House, believes that “housing is health,” highlighting the transformational impact of stable housing on residents’ lives, restoring their hope.
The expansion plan includes the construction of 54 new apartments, with contributions from various levels of government. The federal government’s Build Canada Homes will allocate $21 million for the project’s construction, while Ontario will invest $2.6 million annually for operational costs. The City of Toronto will lead the housing project delivery with a $10 million investment, providing residents with direct access to healthcare professionals.
Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson emphasized the need to replicate the Dunn House model nationwide to address the housing crisis effectively, aiming to simplify and expedite the process of establishing similar projects to provide safe and affordable housing for thousands of Canadians in need.
The escalating homelessness crisis in Ontario is a pressing concern, with recent data revealing that nearly 85,000 Ontarians were homeless in 2025, predominantly relying on emergency shelters for accommodation. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed confidence in the Dunn House model, describing it as a transformative solution that breaks the cycle of homelessness, illness, and desolation, offering a beacon of hope for those in need.
