The Town of Ajax yesterday said Habitat for Humanity GTA has selected 521 Rossland Road West for one of its largest affordable homeownership housing projects in Ontario – with 66 homes.
At the end of 2024, at the last full survey, more than 10,000 households were on the Durham access to social housing wait list. Only 182 applicants received housing through the program during the 2024, according to Regional and Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson (see below).
For the Ajax project, household income eligibility will be established by Habitat for Humanity GTA, with maximum household income of approximately the 60th percentile for the Town of Ajax. Anticipated eligible total household incomes are approximately $70,000 – $130,000, said a town statement.
Housing costs will be capped at 32 per cent of household income, including mortgage payments, condo fees, property taxes and home insurance. As of yet, no completion date for the project has been given, it said.
The site plan proposes 66 affordable homeownership units in a three-storey, stacked back-to-back townhouse community. The project will provide approximately 79,000 square feet of gross floor area.
Homes are anticipated to include:
- 12 one-bedroom units
- 14 three-bedroom units
- 40 three/four-bedroom units
All units will be offered as affordable homeownership opportunities.
Ajax Council authorized $9 million in funding in June to support the overall development of this project. Council authorized $7 million for land sale, and an additional $2 million for project advancement costs to ensure the project is kept moving as a priority.
The project is supported by the town’s allocations from the provincial Building Faster Fund (BFF), federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and the town’s Strategic Initiatives Reserve.
“Bringing affordable homes to Ajax is more than a housing project, it’s an investment in people, families and the future of our community,” said Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier. “As Ajax continues to grow, partnerships like this help ensure more residents have access to affordable housing and the opportunity to put down roots and thrive. The town is proud to work alongside Habitat for Humanity GTA and our federal and provincial partners to make innovative housing solutions a reality.”
Jennifer McKelvie MP for Ajax said that “For far too many Canadians, homeownership has felt out of reach. This meaningful Habitat for Humanity project will create a real opportunity for families and individuals in Ajax to achieve the dream of homeownership and build a brighter future. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, and this development will help make that a reality for 66 households right here in our community.”
Since 1988, Habitat GTA has built 26 new communities, empowering more than 650 families. By 2035, they will have at least 2,000 affordable homes confirmed or underway, with homes completed by 2035.
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