Doorways to Dreams project marks major milestone in Old East Village affordable housing push

An affordable housing project in Old East Village has received millions to push it to the finish line, CTV London's Gerry Dewan has the details.

A significant affordable housing development, “Doorways to Dreams,” spearheaded by the Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC), is rapidly progressing in London’s Old East Village, promising to deliver much-needed homes for newcomers and the wider community. The project involves the construction of a 24-storey apartment tower featuring 247 units, with a strong emphasis on affordability and accessibility.

The initiative, located at 763–773 Dundas Street, will offer a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Over 40 per cent of the total homes are designated as affordable, with 50 specific units receiving a combined $2.3 million investment from the federal and provincial governments through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI).

Adding to the support for vulnerable populations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is contributing $3.38 million via the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) for 11 interim and transitional housing units intended for asylum claimants. This initiative aligns with the Government of Canada’s broader commitment to long-term housing solutions.

The CCLC, whose mandate includes finding housing for new Canadians, embarked on the ambitious development after recognizing the scarcity of affordable options. Executive Director Valerian Marochko described the journey into development as entering an environment they had never entered before, dealing with the complexities of funding formulas and development bureaucracy. He credited “the community support that always encouraged us to go through all the hurdles.”

Marochko also noted that similar agencies nationwide are observing CCLC’s model, stating, “We believe there is need for more housing supply and affordable housing in particular, and we are very proud to be part of this resolving of a community need.”

The project received a boost when the CCLC successfully campaigned at City Hall to clear $3.1 million in development charges. London Mayor Josh Morgan highlighted that under the National Housing Strategy, provincial and federal funds will offset these relief measures, preventing a burden on local taxpayers. “It will be provincial and federal dollars that offset the discounts and our expectation, in my work with the development community, is that those discounts are passed on to people buying homes. And that’s the commitment the building community has made. Frankly, they need to lower the prices to get the market moving.”

Provincial Housing Minister Rob Flack, co-chair of the National Housing Forum, indicated that a review of funding models is underway, “I think we can do a better job of streamlining, which will help speed up approval processes, getting shovels in the ground faster to make sure projects like Doorway to Dreams happen here, right in London.”

The development is poised to enhance the vibrant, multicultural character of Old East Village. Kevin Morrison, Executive Director of the Old East Village BIA, expressed pride in the area’s welcoming nature for immigrants, noting that a significant number of those seeking to start businesses there are newcomers. “For every ten individuals or couples that come to us and say they’d like to start up a business in Old East Village, I would say between six and seven are immigrants,” Morrison stated. “They want to make Old East Village to their home.”

The “Doorways to Dreams” project also includes a six-storey low-rise component and emphasizes sustainability, accessibility (with approximately 21 per cent of units fully barrier-free), and community connection, featuring a health and wellness center and dedicated community programs. The CCLC has raised approximately $1.6 million towards its $2 million fundraising goal for the development.

The announcement on Monday was made by Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside Rob Flack and Josh Morgan.