Ottawa's $5 billion supports fund copies Toronto's Dunn House

Ottawa has modelled a new $5 billion fund on Dunn House, a Toronto supportive housing building, the federal government said. Supportive housing pairs a permanent home with on-site health and social supports. Dunn House, Canada’s first social medicine housing project, opened in 2024 and houses 51 formerly homeless residents. There, early results showed emergency department visits among residents fell 52%.

Ottawa says Budget 2026 aims to end homelessness within 10 years, backed by nearly $30 billion. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin promoted the plan on November 7 at Toronto Community Housing’s Regent Park Revitalization Project. The fund will build facilities combining housing, health care and addiction and mental health treatment. It is delivered through Build Canada Homes, a federal Crown corporation for affordable housing supply.

Under the plan, Ottawa pays for construction of supportive homes, while provinces and territories pay for operations and services.

In Toronto, the City counted 12,196 people experiencing homelessness on October 22, 2025. On October 1, Build Canada Homes committed $25 million for 80 units at the first of three Toronto sites in the Social Medicine Housing Initiative. University Health Network, a Toronto hospital network, and the City plan about 200 homes across the three sites. But funding for the next phase is conditional on due diligence and final agreements, and about $27 million from the City needs Council approval.

Sources: Government of Canada · Prime Minister of Canada · Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada · City of Toronto