Get
Cota
Connected!
A Place to Call Home
Reflections on National Housing Day
On November 22, we recognize National Housing Day, a time to reflect on the critical role that housing plays in creating stability and healthy communities.
For us at Cota, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our supportive housing programs, the people they have impacted, and the partnerships that make this work possible.
We recently sat down with Robert and Mike, tenants of our Modular Housing program at 321 Dovercourt Road in Toronto, to hear about their experiences. This housing site, which opened in 2021, offers supportive housing to 44 individuals.
Through our partnership with TNG (The Neighbourhood Group), Cota provides 24/7 on-site support services while TNG acts as the housing operator, managing property maintenance and landlord functions. Together, we aim to provide safe, stable housing paired with personalized support.
Finding Hope and Security
For Robert, moving into supportive housing has been life-changing: “This is my first stroke of good luck in a long time. I came here from many bad rooming houses and then a downtown shelter. Housing gives people hope. A lot of us are coming out of addictions and mental health issues. Getting in here was like winning the lottery. Thanks for helping me—I needed that break.”
Mike shared a similar sense of relief and gratitude: “I’m so grateful to get housing after coming from living in shelters. I really appreciate having my own space—things like a shower and privacy. The staff are really nice, and it’s good to have their support. If you need to talk to someone, they’re there. You’re not completely on your own. It’s so much better than being in a shelter.”
Both Robert and Mike emphasized how much having their own space means to them. As Mike put it, “It’s that sense of security.”
Why Housing Matters
Supportive housing like Dovercourt doesn’t just provide a roof over someone’s head—it helps create the foundation for stability, recovery, and a better future. Studies show that approximately two-thirds of people experiencing homelessness live with a current mental health and/or substance use disorder, while three-quarters have faced such challenges at some point in their lives. For these individuals, the combination of stable housing and tailored support services can be transformative.
Yet, the need far outweighs the supply. In Toronto alone, the waitlist for mental health and addictions supportive housing is 27,000 people—a staggering figure that underscores the urgency for greater investment in programs like modular housing.
Robert summed it up perfectly: “Everybody needs housing. Nobody wants to be sleeping in tents or in parks or at a shelter. I wish there was housing for everyone.”
Our Commitment
We are proud to provide supportive housing to 475+ people, recognizing it as an anchor of stability and well-being. From helping individuals secure housing, to providing the ongoing support needed to maintain it, we are committed to working alongside our service users to navigate the challenges they face.
On National Housing Day, we celebrate the progress made, but we also recognize the work that still lies ahead. Together, let’s continue advocating for affordable and supportive housing for all.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn