• York Region and Housing York Inc. hosted Stouffville Council for a May 6 tour of Mosaic House, the Region’s newest community housing development.
  • Located at 5676 Main Street, Mosaic House features 97 purpose-built rental units.
  • Seventy percent of the units are subsidized, while the remaining 30 percent are leased at market rates.
  • The $50.96-million project received more than $32 million in Federal and Provincial funding, with the balance covered by York Region.
  • A potential Phase 2 expansion could add 200 additional units, pending further government investment.
  • More than 18,400 households remain on York Region’s subsidized housing waitlist, with seniors representing one-third of applicants.

 

In a visible step toward tackling York Region’s growing housing crisis, local officials gathered May 6 to tour Mosaic House, a newly completed, mixed-income development in the heart of Stouffville. The six-storey, 97-unit building at 5676 Main Street is Housing York Inc.’s latest community housing project, blending affordable and market rentals.

York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe, Housing York Inc. (HYI) representatives, and Regional Staff hosted Mayor Iain Lovatt, Members of Council, and Senior Town Staff for the event.

Opening remarks were delivered by Jolliffe and Karen Antonio-Hadcock, General Manager of Housing York Inc. and Housing Services at York Region. Both emphasized the importance of expanding community housing options in response to intensifying demand.

“This six-storey building offers a mix of affordable and market rental units, allowing people to live close to family, schools, local shops, and public services, and to stay connected to the community they call home,” Jolliffe said. “The building is now full of life with individuals and families settling in, building connections, and contributing to the vibrancy of the Town of Stouffville.”

Antonio-Hadcock noted that the need for subsidized housing continues to climb across the region. As of the end of 2024, more than 18,400 households were on the waitlist—an increase of 170 percent between 2008 and 2023—with seniors accounting for over one-third of applicants.

“HYI has been changing the face of community housing and contributing to vibrant neighbourhoods across the region for more than 20 years,” she said. The Regional organization currently operates 38 properties, offering more than 3,100 rental units to approximately 5,000 residents.

Construction of Mosaic House began in spring 2022, and the building officially opened to residents on March 15. It features 65 one-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom units, all with open-concept layouts, full kitchens, private balconies, and individually metered utilities. Eighteen units are fully barrier-free, and the building has achieved LEED Silver certification for energy and resource efficiency.

More than 95 percent of the building is now occupied, with remaining residents expected to move in within weeks. Shared amenities include indoor and rooftop common areas and a ground-level children’s play zone.

“What makes this building special is truly the people that live here, and we’re proud that you’re welcoming our residents to your community,” Antonio-Hadcock said to Stouffville attendees. “Behind each of these 97 units are stories of families trying to find stability, seniors ageing in place safely, and individuals gaining the [housing] security they need.”

Seventy percent of the units are subsidized, with rents ranging from $390 to $1,700. The remaining 30 percent are leased at market rates between $2,000 and $3,000, with those revenues supporting operational costs and the development’s long-term financial viability.

HYI Staff said each unit cost just under $450,000 to develop. The full project budget of $50.96 million also included land acquisition costs for Mosaic House and the proposed, but currently unfunded, Phase 2 expansion on the adjacent eastern parcel.

Antonio-Hadcock confirmed that more than $32 million—roughly 63 percent of total costs—came from Federal and Provincial investments.

“This level of investment has not been the norm for most York Region community housing developments,” she added in comments to Bullet Point News. “Since 2013, York Region has funded 56 percent of total capital costs for new community housing from the municipal tax base, increasing the HYI portfolio by over 1,000 units.”

“Support from the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario is critical in enabling York Region and HYI to increase the supply of new affordable, purpose-built rental housing and provide more homes for residents in need,” Antonio-Hadcock continued. “The Region is currently advocating for a shared funding model, where each level of government funds one-third of the capital costs for new community housing projects.”

As Vice-Chair of the HYI Regional Board, Lovatt has helped guide the project since first joining the committee in 2018. He welcomed the chance to tour the completed facility alongside his Council colleagues.

“I was happy to have Stouffville’s Council tour the finished Mosaic House, an important project for our community,” Lovatt told Bullet Point News. “The lands to the east have been set aside for Phase 2, and with financial commitments from the Province and Feds, we can move forward with 200 additional, much-needed rental units for our area.”

HYI recently launched a sponsorship initiative aimed at enhancing quality of life for community housing residents. With contribution levels ranging from $3,500 to $50,000, sponsors can support amenities such as gardens, artwork, playground equipment, and technology upgrades for communal areas.

Mosaic House will also feature a dedicated Regional space designed to host programming and services. Antonio-Hadcock said the facility includes a shared workspace for York Region Staff and could be opened after hours for use by approved community organizations and agencies once operational details are finalized.

Jolliffe concluded his remarks by thanking Lovatt and Stouffville Council Members for their role in bringing the project to life.

“York Regional Council believes complete communities are those that meet the needs of all our residents, and that includes safe and affordable housing,” he said. “Your support and leadership are helping us create the kind of communities where people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels can thrive.”