Canada’s first integrated hub for young people aging out of foster care is planned for Toronto’s west end.
StepStones, a Canadian charity, developed the site at 1286 Bloor St. in collaboration with youth with lived experience and combines supportive housing and essential services on site.
Young people leaving foster care are 193 times more likely to experience homelessness compared to other young people, and face a higher risk of educational disruption, mental health challenges, victimization and poverty, according to StepStones.
The hub will include eight studio apartments, each with a private bathroom and kitchen, to help young people prepare to transition into market-rate housing.
Onsite supports include a food pantry, flexible spaces for counselling, and community dinners and youth events.
The announcement comes as the federal government proposes a new Integrated Supports Fund in its recent budget, committing $1.8 billion over four years, with an additional $3.2 billion in future funding.
The fund would be designed to support integrated housing and care models that bring housing together with health, mental health, addiction and social services, reflecting the approach StepStones says it’s bringing to life in Toronto.
