York Region Celebrates Opening of Unionville Commons: A Milestone in Housing

On Friday, May 31, political dignitaries, York Region staff and more than 120 Unionville Commons residents gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of Unionville Commons, Housing York Inc.’s largest property.  

This momentous event followed a joint Federal-Provincial Funding Announcement of more than $29.1 million in capital funding investments. Approximately $33.5 million in total funding from senior levels of government was critical to building Unionville Commons. York Region contributed $51.2 million from various sources, including approximately $7 million from a Housing York Inc. debenture.

Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Paul Chiang; Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra; and Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville, Billy Pang acknowledged the importance of continued investment in affordable housing. York Regional Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson emceed the event with Housing York Inc. Vice Chair and Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt and City of Markham Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Michael Chan delivering remarks. Political dignitaries toured the building to learn about unique features, including universally accessible units, colour coded elevator lobbies, as well as outdoor gardens, pedestrian paths and gathering spaces to encourage activity and community connectivity.  

Located in the City of Markham, Unionville Commons was designed with seniors in mind, offering 265 one- and two-bedroom apartments and convenient access to transit, shopping destinations and downtown Unionville.  

In March 2023, the first 41 residents moved into the building under partial occupancy as construction continued on the upper floors. Construction was completed in June 2023 and by October, all units were leased. This included 130 rent-geared-to-income units rented in a single day to seniors on the subsidized housing wait list. An incredible feat made possible by the Region’s new online housing offer process.  

Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges facing York Region today. With support from the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario, York Region and its housing company, Housing York Inc., are building inclusive communities everyone would be proud to call home.

Learn more about how York Region is working to help more residents find and keep housing at york.ca/Housing