A plan to convert the Bond Place Hotel into affordable housing:
app.toronto.ca
65 DUNDAS ST E
Ward 13: Toronto Centre
To convert the existing hotel building into an apartment building with a total of 280 affordable housing units.
-----------
View attachment 423665
This is basically a good idea; in that we desperately need additional affordable housing.
My only caveat would be, the actual income mix.
That is to say if these are all 'rapid housing' or 'deeply affordable housing' I would be concerned about the risk of it developing into one of those buildings with a negative reputation and unpleasant environment for tenants.
I would also worry about the sustained cost of operation. I would prefer to see a mix of deeply affordable, workforce-affordable and even some full market rent units and use any savings to achieve through added rent to support even more affordable housing.
Edit to Add: I have reviewed the cover letter and plans, it would appear they are intending to keep the current layout intact, subject to minor alterations (remove 8 rooms/units); this means we're looking at hotel-room sized affordable housing, I'm fine w/that for the smaller SRO-style Rapid Housing TO builds we've seen, but 280 such units on one site does not sound promising to me at all.
Vancouver has a long-time experience w/this type of housing, and it's not stellar over-all.
I think this type of housing is certainly preferable to shelters; and is a good first-step, Housing First plan for single homeless persons; but it's a very questionable choice in terms of permanent affordable housing.
I also think, a poor choice at-scale. My perference would be to see a re-fit of a large part of the complex, swapping out 2 rooms for one-bedroom units, and 3-rooms for 2-bedroom units and getting a mix of affordable housing on site.
There are a enough risers (since each room has its own bathroom) that this should be a reasonable choice without undue renovation costs.