Kennedy Green: A Landmark Co-op Housing Project Rises in Scarborough
On a stretch of Eglinton Avenue East long defined by the Kennedy transit hub, a significant new landmark is beginning to take shape. Kennedy Green, a 612-unit purpose-built non-profit co-operative housing development, has officially broken ground in Scarborough. This project represents not only the largest co-op housing initiative Canada has witnessed in more than 30 years but also signals a powerful resurgence of co-operative housing as a viable solution to Toronto's ongoing affordability crisis.
Transit-Oriented Development with Long-Term Affordability
Located at 2444 Eglinton Ave. E., Kennedy Green masterfully combines transit-oriented density with sustainable affordability. The first phase of this ambitious project consists of two non-profit co-op towers—standing at 40 and 18 storeys respectively—that will deliver 612 rent-controlled homes. These units will be split evenly between affordable and market-rate co-op residences, creating a balanced community. Accessibility features have been prioritized, with at least one-third of the affordable units and 15 percent of the market units designed to accommodate various mobility needs.
Remarkable Speed and Substantial Funding
The project's development timeline has been remarkably swift, moving from zoning application to approval in just 69 days. This accelerated process reflects the urgent need for housing solutions in the Greater Toronto Area. Kennedy Green benefits from substantial financial backing, including a $289-million federal investment through the Co-op Housing Development Program, complemented by more than $35 million in City of Toronto funding, incentives, and loans. This significant public investment underscores the project's importance within broader housing strategies.
Community-Focused Design and Amenities
Unlike traditional rental buildings, co-ops are owned collectively by their members, who elect boards and actively participate in governing their communities. This model ensures housing charges remain based on operating costs rather than market volatility, providing long-term security of tenure and keeping increases below typical market rates.
The amenities at Kennedy Green were shaped through extensive consultation with current co-op residents, resulting in practical, community-oriented spaces rather than flashy features. The development will include:
- Nearly a full floor of shared amenities across both buildings
- A large podium with outdoor gathering spaces
- Community gardens for resident use
- Party rooms and multi-purpose spaces
- Work and study areas for collaborative use
- Dog wash stations for pet owners
- Design accommodations for a future daycare or early-childhood facility
"We actually asked co-op residents what they wanted," explains Heather Tremain, executive director of the CHFT Development Society. "What came back wasn't about flash. It was about spaces that support daily life: places to study together, gather as a community, and meet real needs."
A Model for Sustainable Community Living
Tom Clement, executive director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT), emphasizes the project's significance: "This project really gets it right. People like the modern look of it, and there's excitement around it being such a large community. That scale gives people options. You can live in different-sized units and move within the community as your family grows or changes."
Clement highlights the fundamental permanence of the co-op model: "People don't see co-ops as transitional housing. Young couples move in and raise their families. Older people choose to retire there. They're making a long-term decision because they know it's permanently affordable."
The development's design intentionally encourages community interaction beyond individual units. "We didn't want this to be a place where people only live inside their units," Tremain notes. "The idea is that residents will really use the shared spaces and the outdoor areas. That's where community happens."
As construction progresses on this landmark project, Kennedy Green stands as a testament to the potential of co-operative housing to address urban affordability challenges while fostering sustainable, engaged communities in Canada's largest city.
