Construction begins on Kennedy Green — one of Canada’s largest co-operative housing projects

The Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT) has officially broken ground on Kennedy Green at 2444 Eglinton, marking the start of one of the largest purpose-built non-profit co-operative housing developments in Canada in more than 30 years.

Located steps from Kennedy TTC Station, Kennedy GO Station, and the future Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Kennedy Green is the first phase of a three-tower, mixed-income, transit-oriented community. The project is supported by a $289 million investment from the federal Co-op Housing Development Program.

The City of Toronto has also played a pivotal role, contributing over $35 million in capital funding, incentives, and loans, and providing access to City-owned land. In an expedited move, the City accelerated zoning approvals, advancing the project from application to approval in just 69 days.

“By working closely with key partners, leveraging City-owned land, and investing over $35 million, we approved this project in record-breaking time and are delivering a more caring and affordable city for Torontonians," said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto.

Phase 1 of Kennedy Green includes two non-profit co-op towers, 40 and 18 storeys, bringing 612 rent-controlled homes to Scarborough. This includes 50% affordable units, priced according to the City’s income and market-based affordability definitions, and 50% market-rate co-op homes. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 2029.

Phase 2 of the project will follow with a 31-storey residential tower offering an additional 307 market units, bringing the full project total to 919 homes.

Designed by Henriquez Partners Architects with landscape architecture by CCxA, Kennedy Green departs from conventional rental and condo models. The development is designed for resident governance, long-term stewardship, and flexible community spaces shaped by co-op members rather than investors.

The project also meets Toronto Green Standard Version 4, Tier 2 requirements and aligns with the One Planet Living sustainability framework, integrating strong environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles.

 “Kennedy Green at 2444 Eglinton sets a new standard for co-op housing in Canada,” said Tom Clement, Executive Director, CHFT. “After 50 years of supporting the co-op movement in Toronto, we’ve built on our experience and delivered world-class design to set the stage for a renaissance of co-op housing. With this new momentum, CHFT is focused on making co-ops a well-known and available type of housing for a new generation.” 

Kennedy Green is the result of a unique collaboration between public, private, and non-profit partners. In 2021, CreateTO selected CHFT, Windmill Development Group, and Civic Developments through a competitive process to guide the project. Together, they bring co-op leadership, development expertise, and public land to the table.

“2444 Eglinton is the kind of bold, collaborative project Toronto needs to address housing affordability. By bringing together incredible partners from the non-profit and private sectors, we turned a shared vision of inclusivity and sustainability into purpose and moved this development forward at an unprecedented pace,” said Vic Gupta, CEO, CreateTO. “The result is not only a community with lasting benefits for the people of Scarborough, but an award-winning design that sets a new standard for excellence. We are pleased to see more co-op housing built on City-owned land and can’t wait for Kennedy Green at 2444 Eglinton to welcome its new members. This project is proof that when we work together, we can build a city where everyone has a place to call home.” 

"People choose to live in co-op rental housing to be part of an inclusive community where they know and care about their neighbours," said Jeremy Reeds, President, Windmill Development Group. "As on all Windmill projects, Kennedy Green at 2444 Eglinton reflects those values. People live in co-op housing for generations and Kennedy Green will be built to last while having minimal impact on the planet."  

“Kennedy Green establishes a new precedent for what mixed-tenure, affordable housing can look like in our city. This was precisely the intention we had when we started work on the project more than four years ago,” said Matthew Cohen, Founding Partner and President, Civic Developments. “It likewise sets a precedent for what collaborative partnership can achieve when we are all pointing in the same direction. Civic is very proud of our work to get the project to the point of starting construction and we are hopeful that it can serve as a blueprint for the future proliferation of this kind of dynamic housing project across the country.” 

With shovels now in the ground, Kennedy Green marks a significant step forward for co-operative housing in Canada. When complete in 2029, the development will provide affordable, stable, and community-oriented homes for hundreds of households, and offer a blueprint for large-scale co-op housing across the country