Mayor Kennedy Stewart is pleased to mark Ross-Aoki House's opening, a 24-room single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel, which will provide homes for trans, gender-diverse, and two-spirit (TGD2S) residents who are overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness. This vital project will welcome tenants from the TGD2S community who often face barriers accessing safe, adequate, and culturally appropriate housing. 

These new homes were purchased using revenue from the Empty Homes Tax, which has been tripled under the Mayor's leadership. 

"Trans, gender-diverse, and two-spirit residents face systemic discrimination and oppression, leading to increased rates of poverty and homelessness, “ said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “Access to stable housing will help improve these people's lives and reduces barriers to help people access the healthcare and gender affirming services they need."

The City appointed Atira as the operator of the new building, located at 313 Alexander St.  In addition to prioritizing trans, gender-diverse, and two-spirit (TGD2S) residents, the City and Atira are exploring new ways that housing and service providers can collaborate to ensure that the needs of this community are heard and met.