The community got a close-up look June 4 at Housing York’s next major affordable housing development coming to Bayview Parkway in Newmarket.
Dozens of residents attended an open house for the development, which is scheduled to go before Newmarket council for zoning approval later this month. The project has been years in the making and will feature 227 units, 70 per cent offered at a subsidized rate and 30 per cent at a market rate. The development is being constructed on the former site of York Region headquarters.
Area resident Patricia Hawke, who has served on a resident liaison committee for the project, said she is surprised by how long it has taken to get to construction, but said people in the neighbourhood are generally supportive of it now.
“We need this in Newmarket. Obviously, the more the merrier,” she said. “The location and everything, as far as I’m concerned, is fantastic.”
York Region gave the green light to demolish its former headquarters back in July 2021 to make way for this proposal. The development has been in the works since then, with the proposal featuring six and nine-storey buildings, indoor and outdoor amenity space, surface and underground parking and passive house energy-efficient design, among other features. Housing York, York Region's affordable housing company, has developed the project and will manage it when complete.
The open house precedes a statutory public meeting before Newmarket council June 16 for the project to get zoning approval. If the approvals process goes smoothly, Housing York expects to start construction in the second half of 2026, with construction to take two or three years.
York's director of housing development and asset strategy, Gabriel Wong, said the region wanted to ensure the neighbourhood knew what they were delivering and answer any questions.
"Having the community here is paramount importance to us,” he said. “Having the public engagement is super important to be successful and a respectful neighbour.”
Hawke said the region has successfully answered issues and concerns quickly as the project has progressed.
“It’s quite positive,” Hawke said, but added that there are traffic concerns. “We need more housing, affordable housing. Rent has just gotten out of control.”
Several people attended in hopes of securing units for themselves or assisting friends and family in doing so.
Denise Herold is living in the shelter Belinda’s Place and said she has bounced between different shelters and temporary housing for the past few years. Living on the Ontario Disability Support Program, she said, affording rent is impossible.
“I find it very interesting that for once, they’re catering to low-income people instead of real estate,” she said of the development. “It’s a great idea.”
Joseph Teng is also hoping to be able to live in the facility and wants to get more information about it.
“The population of seniors is growing and growing in the area,” he said. “It's a good idea to have such a project for the seniors."
York Region confirmed that the subsidized units in the facility, about 70 per cent, will be filled using the region’s subsidized housing waitlist, which currently has a years-long wait. The market-rate units will likely be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Area resident Kevin Janet said he sees the need for the project, but is concerned about the size of it and its height.
“Not exactly an intensified area,” he said. “It's kind of going to stick out … Probably have to reduce the number of units and targets to kind of blend it in with the rest of the community. Hopefully, what our zoning laws are there for.”
Newmarket Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh and Housing York director attended and said the project is in a great location.
“It’s a great use of the site,” Vegh said. “We certainly have a huge need, huge demand for affordable housing in Newmarket and York Region."
The public meeting to consider the zoning bylaw will occur before Newmarket council June 16. Following that statutory public meeting, town staff will present their recommendation to the council committee of the whole July 14.
More information is available at york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/community-housing-62-bayview-parkway.
Editor's Note, June 6: This article was altered to correct the number of units planned for the project.
