Ontario Supporting Conversion of 2,200 Condo Units Into Rental Apartments
March 27, 2026
First-of-its-kind initiative will add 550 affordable rental homes to the GTA’s housing stock
The Ontario government is investing $300 million through the Building Ontario Fund in partnership with High Art Capital, to increase access to affordable housing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by supporting the conversion of approximately 2,200 condominium units into long-term rental housing. Approximately 550 of these homes will have rents set at 25 per cent below market rates or at no more than 30 per cent of the median household income in the GTA, whichever is lower. Most of the $300 million investment is structured as a repayable loan to the Building Ontario Fund, in addition to a small equity stake that will support the Building Ontario Fund’s role in project governance.
“To support our plan to protect Ontario, our government is using innovative financing tools to unlock housing that meets the needs of families today and for years to come,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Through the Building Ontario Fund, we are mobilizing private capital, reducing risk and accelerating the delivery of affordable rental housing that would not otherwise be available.”
This initiative is the first-of-its-kind at this scale in the GTA. It will help reduce housing pressure and seize on a unique opportunity to rapidly convert unsold condominium units into long-term rental housing. Without the financial backing provided by this repayable loan through the Building Ontario Fund, many of these units would otherwise remain unsold or unoccupied. Instead, this project is intended to ensure the designated units remain affordable for their lifetime, while increasing the overall supply of rental housing, giving renters more choice and helping more people live closer to where they work.
In addition to the investment through the Building Ontario Fund, the fund expects to raise approximately $733 million in additional loans from other investors. The fund expects to maintain ownership of the units for at least five years. After that period, the fund plans to sell the units, at which point the Building Ontario Fund’s loan would be repaid.
“An integral step towards protecting Ontario’s economy is ensuring everyone in our province has a safe and affordable place to live,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “This partnership reflects our government’s commitment to finding collaborative, practical housing solutions that meet the needs of Ontarians, so more people can thrive in their communities.”
As the province responds to U.S. tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty, the government is protecting Ontario by building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7. The Building Ontario Fund is a key part of that plan, by accelerating investment in high-impact, revenue-generating infrastructure projects across six priority areas: affordable housing, energy, transportation, long-term care, municipal and community infrastructure, and critical minerals.
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