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Wigwamen Waabnong
Toronto, Ontario

For Wigwamen Incorporated, a request for proposals from the City of Toronto to develop housing at 20 Sewells Road was an opportunity to build safe and affordable housing for Aboriginal families, singles and seniors. Wigwamen is Ontario’s oldest and largest urban Aboriginal housing provider. The group submitted the winning proposal and secured funding from a range of partners to build Wigwamen Waabnong.

The Affordable Housing Solution

Wigwamen Waabnong, which means “Houses in the East” in the Ojibwa language, is a four-storey, 92-unit apartment building that opened in 2007. The brick and stone building has nine bachelor, 33 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 20 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom apartments. One-third of the units are for transitional housing.

The project has a large common room that is used as a multi-denominational worship space and for community activities. These include the Aboriginal Peer Nutritional program, which teaches preparation of nutritious and affordable meals, and a multicultural arts and crafts program for children. Wigwamen Waabnong provides office space to the Aboriginal Housing Support Centre, a program funded by the City of Toronto that helps Aboriginal families and individuals apply for non-profit housing. A community centre offering recreational and educational resources is next door to the project.

Rent is 30 per cent of household income. A full-time transitional housing staff member works with residents who could benefit from assistance to stabilize their lives through support services including credit counselling, resumé building and job training. Construction costs were $13.38 million. Modestly priced building materials improved the affordability of the project and energy-efficient building features reduced operational expenses and environmental impact. Wigwamen received an interest-free Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Proposal Development Funding loan to help cover some of the expenses incurred during the planning stages of the project. Wigwamen brought over $1 million of its own equity to the project—acquired through fundraising. CMHC and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy contributed $2.5 million. CMHC provided mortgage loan insurance and a mortgage premium reduction. The land was provided by the Province of Ontario and the federal government for $1 through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative. The City of Toronto contributed a $1 million dollar grant, a $1 million loan from its Capital Revolving Fund, and fee and permit waivers, including a 50 per cent reduction in parking requirements.

Wigwamen Waabnong won a CMHC Housing Award in 2006 for its innovative approach in securing financing from a variety of private and non-profit groups to create affordable housing that has made a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

CMHC Contact

Donna Mayer, 416-250-3229, dmayer@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Additional Information

Wigwamen Web site. From the left menu, select New and Events and then click on 20 Sewells Road Project
www.wigwamen.com

CMHC Housing Awards Program fact sheet
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/prfias/graw/hoawpr/upload/Sewells_Road_EN.pdf

Listing of 2006 Housing Awards Program initiatives
www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/prfias/graw/hoawpr/hoawpr_009.cfm

CMHC Housing Award Program Web page
www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/graw/hoawpr/index.cfm

Hilditch Architect Website
www.hilditch-architect.com

CMHC and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy contributed $2.5 million. CMHC provided mortgage loan insurance and a mortgage premium reduction. The land was provided by the Province of Ontario and the federal government for $1 through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative. The City of Toronto contributed a $1 million grant, a $1 million loan from its Capital Revolving Fund, and fee and permit waivers, including a 50 per cent reduction in parking requirements.

Wigwamen Waabnong won a CMHC Housing Award in 2006 for its innovative approach in securing financing from a variety of private and non-profit groups to create affordable housing that has made a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

This document was produced by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, highlighting the successful partnership between Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, CMHC and Public Works and Government Services Canada.

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Date Modified:

2011-07-26