Christine Crescent Affordable Housing, Ontario homes

Christine Crescent Affordable Housing in Ontario

April 21, 2026

Design: Montgomery Sisam Architects

Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Image Credit: Montgomery Sisam Architects

Christine Crescent Affordable Housing is a new project in Oshawa, ON, designed by Montgomery Sisam, that demonstrates how affordable housing can be sustainable, family-oriented, and architecturally thoughtful — setting a new benchmark for mixed-income development in Ontario.

Transforming an aging community housing site, the Christine Crescent redevelopment replaces 12 semi-detached homes with two contemporary four- and six-storey buildings, delivering 160 mixed-income rental homes and significantly expanding Durham Region’s affordable housing supply. The development includes a diverse mix of rent-geared-to-income, affordable, and market rental units.

More than a housing replacement, the project is driven by a clear ethos: the difference between building housing and creating homes. The design prioritizes dignity, livability, and connection — both within the buildings and to the surrounding neighborhood. Carefully massed to respect its context, the buildings use pitched roofs, articulated façades, and a rhythm inspired by nearby lot sizes to reduce perceived scale and integrate into the residential fabric. A new public forecourt and landscaped courtyard connect directly to Chopin Park, strengthening pedestrian links and community life.

Inside, the project supports families with a flexible mix of one- to four-bedroom units, including rare four-bedroom apartments. A 6-metre modular grid enables efficient planning while ensuring well-proportioned layouts, operable windows for natural light and ventilation, and ample storage. Modular efficiency and standardized assemblies streamline construction without compromising resident experience.

Shared spaces are treated as essential infrastructure. Residents have access to lounges, party rooms, fitness facilities, and rooftop amenities, alongside naturally lit common areas designed to encourage interaction. Outdoors, a landscaped courtyard includes a community patio, picnic areas, an outdoor gym, and direct park access. A mass timber canopy unifies the entrances and frames a welcoming threshold to the internal courtyard.

Sustainability is central to the project. A low-embodied-carbon wood structure — using dimensional lumber and glue-laminated elements — significantly reduces environmental impact compared to conventional concrete. A geothermal heat pump system and high-performance thermal envelope further enhance energy efficiency. Sun, microclimate, wind, and daylight analyses informed the design, ensuring comfortable interior conditions and inviting outdoor spaces year-round.

Christine Crescent demonstrates how thoughtful design, sustainability, and community-building can come together to elevate affordable housing.