Home / Health / UHN Doubles Housing Program to Cut ER Overload
UHN Doubles Housing Program to Cut ER Overload
22 Jan
Summary
- New housing initiative aims to reduce Toronto emergency room visits.
- Current residents saw a 52% drop in ER visits and 79% shorter stays.
- Expansion receives $21 million from federal and $10 million from city.
University Health Network (UHN) is significantly expanding its successful housing initiative, the "Dunn House" model, by adding 54 new apartments. This program is designed to alleviate systemic pressure on Toronto's emergency departments.
Preliminary data indicates a 52% reduction in emergency room visits and a 79% decrease in hospital stay length for the 48 current residents. Dr. Andrew Boozary, who conceptualized the program seven years ago, emphasized that "housing is health," as instability hinders patient recovery.
The expansion is a collaborative effort, securing $21 million from the federal government and $10 million from the City of Toronto. Ontario has committed $2.6 million annually for residents' access to a multidisciplinary medical team.
This initiative addresses a worsening crisis, with nearly 85,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness in 2025, a significant increase. Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson highlighted the urgency to scale such integrated models for thousands of Canadians.
Mayor Olivia Chow praised the project as a critical intervention that breaks the cycle of homelessness and instability. The success of the Dunn House model suggests substantial healthcare savings by addressing housing stability as a root cause of frequent ER visits.
