Scarborough has long been underserved in Toronto’s housing conversation. But the proposed development at 777 Victoria Park Avenue could help change that. With plans to deliver 705 new rental homes, including a mix of affordable and market-rate units, this project brings real momentum to the city’s east end—a place where working families, newcomers, and low-income residents have increasingly been pushed out of stable housing.
It’s more than a new build—it’s a commitment to equity.
Project Overview
Located at Victoria Park Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East, 777 Victoria Park is part of a growing effort to use city-owned land for housing that serves a range of incomes. Key highlights of the proposed development include:
- 705 rental homes, including deeply affordable, below-market, and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units
- A mix of mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings
- Proximity to Victoria Park Station, future Ontario Line connections, and local bus routes
- Ground-floor retail, shared green space, and potential for integrated community services
As with other city-led initiatives, this project falls under Toronto’s broader strategy to build more affordable housing on public land—but this one sends a message: Scarborough deserves a seat at the housing table.
Why It Matters
For too long, affordable housing has been concentrated in a few neighbourhoods, often leaving Scarborough behind. But 777 Victoria Park reflects a new philosophy:
- Affordable housing should exist in all parts of the city
- Families, frontline workers, and seniors in the east end need safe, stable housing options
- Building near transit ensures long-term access to jobs, education, and opportunity
It’s also a step toward countering the narrative that affordable housing only belongs in “less desirable” areas.
Challenges to Watch
While the project is promising, success will depend on:
- Firm affordability commitments—ensuring units stay affordable for decades
- Community engagement—residents need to be part of shaping the local impact
- Infrastructure investment—additional housing means added demand on transit, schools, and services
Scarborough has often been treated as an afterthought. This project must avoid repeating that mistake by delivering quality, permanent, and inclusive housing.
Policy Recommendations
To maximize the impact of 777 Victoria Park:
- Set affordability covenants for at least 40 years
- Ensure a meaningful percentage of RGI and deeply affordable units
- Integrate social supports and services onsite or nearby
- Use this as a model for more projects in underserved boroughs
Call to Action: Deliver More Than Units—Deliver Justice
777 Victoria Park has the potential to become a model for Scarborough and beyond. But it must be backed by action—not just zoning approvals and renderings. The communities that have waited the longest for housing justice should be the first to receive it.
Let’s build for everyone, everywhere.
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