Nine private units at 1080 Queen Street East will provide affordable housing for older adults to age in place with 24-hour personal support
Toronto, ON – Today, WoodGreen Community Services and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), in partnership with the federal government and the City of Toronto, celebrated the official opening of 1080 Queen Street East, a newly converted Cluster Care site offering nine private units of affordable, supportive housing for seniors.
Specially designed for older adults transitioning from MGH’s Memory Care Unit, this new site provides a crucial pathway for seniors to maintain their independence and dignity within a supportive community. By offering a safe and comfortable living environment with 24-hour personal support, it not only reduces pressure on the healthcare system by diverting seniors from acute care and long-term care, but also ensures they receive the specialized care they need, improving their quality of life.
WoodGreen’s Cluster Care is an innovative housing model that combines affordable housing with 24-hour personal support services in a shared living environment, housing small groups of seniors (8–11 individuals) in private rooms with access to communal dining, common areas, and recreational spaces. This approach allows older adults who need daily assistance—but do not require long-term care—to maintain independence, remain connected to their communities, and receive specialized care on-site.
These nine units will be added to WoodGreen’s existing portfolio of 52 cluster care units. These new Cluster Care Units are located within what was formerly a commercial space and employment office for WoodGreen staff, which will now be nine new homes for seniors in our community.
The model is also flexible to different cultural, linguistic, and care requirements, ensuring seniors can remain in a supportive, community-focused setting.
At the new 1080 Queen St. E. cluster, tenants will have access to daily living services such as personal care, meal preparation, laundry, medication reminders, household support, and enhanced behavioral and social programming. They will also have access to additional health services provided by Michael Garron Hospital, including behavioral supports and on call nursing or physician visits.
The first clients will begin moving in during the week of February 24, with full occupancy expected by March 15.
Funding for the site includes $1.6 million from the Federal Government (through the Rapid Housing Initiative, previously announced in 2022), $420,661 from the City of Toronto, operational support from Michael Garron Hospital, and a $250,000 donation from the Dr. Allan Carswell Family Foundation.
Quotes:
"WoodGreen Community Services, in partnership with Michael Garron Hospital and with the unwavering support of the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto, is proud to welcome seniors to 1080 Queen Street East, our seventh cluster care site. This innovative housing and care model, known as cluster care, provides seniors with affordable housing and 24-hour personal support in a shared living environment. We look forward to welcoming these seniors to their new homes in our community." – Anne Babcock, President and CEO, WoodGreen Community Service
“I am proud to see this partnership with WoodGreen Community Services and the federal government come together to be able to provide care and services to seniors in our community. This new cluster at 1080 Queen Street East is an example of the work we can accomplish when we work together to address the needs of our community. This innovative model of care helps us deliver support to some of our most vulnerable citizens while ensuring that they continue to live in an environment that promotes independence. We look forward to welcoming our first clients to their new home and seeing this model of care expand in other parts of our city.” - Melanie Kohn, President and CEO Michael Garron Hospital
About WoodGreen Community Services (woodgreen.org): WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto, serving 40,000 people each year. We offer over 75 programs and services tackling the social determinants that affect the health and well-being of individuals in our community. Deeply rooted in our community for 85 years, we are a United Way Anchor Agency and member of the East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), working to create innovative solutions to address vital social needs
About Michael Garron Hospital
Nestled in the heart of East Toronto, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is a vibrant community teaching hospital serving more than 400,000 people in 22 distinct neighbourhoods. For more than 90 years, MGH has delivered high-quality, patient-centred healthcare services to families along the continuum of care, from welcoming a new life to facing end-of-life. MGH is a full-service hospital with strong community and research partners, including the University of Toronto. MGH is a proud member of East Toronto Health Partners, the Ontario Health Team serving East Toronto.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 
WoodGreen Community Services
Jon Reed, Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications; [email protected], 437-226-8091
Michael Garron Hospital
[email protected]