On April 17, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario celebrated the province’s 2025 heritage conservation leaders through the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards. A total of 17 recipients were honoured for their dedication to protecting and promoting Ontario’s rich heritage.
Among the recognized projects was Making Home at 97 Victoria St. North in Kitchener, a transformative initiative addressing homelessness through the creation of 44 units of supportive housing integrated with health, social, and community services. The project expands and restores an existing building while preserving its historic character—creating a sustainable, inclusive environment designed to foster dignity, stability, and connection.
MTE Consultants played a key role in the project, providing reduced-fee, multidisciplinary engineering services in collaboration with project partners. From early planning through construction, MTE contributed detailed design development, addressed site constraints, and provided on-site support to adapt to evolving conditions.
The development prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, with 26% of units designed to be fully wheelchair accessible. Residents will benefit from integrated support services, including access to healthcare and assistance navigating community systems. The housing model is income-based and aligns with regional strategies to address homelessness, ensuring those most in need are prioritized.
MTE’s contributions spanned multiple disciplines. Our Survey team completed topographic surveys and prepared reference plans to establish a strong foundation for site development. Our Environmental specialists supported the project through the preparation of a Designated Substance Audit, helping ensure environmental compliance and safety.
MTE’s Geotechnical team carried out subsurface investigations to inform critical foundation design decisions, while the Civil team led site planning efforts, including the design of the west wing addition to enhance functionality and integration with the existing structure. The Structural team provided thorough assessments, developed detailed design drawings, and conducted ongoing field reviews.
In partnership with The Working Centre, the project represents a significant step forward in compassionate, community-focused development—demonstrating how heritage conservation can directly support social impact while preserving the character of existing spaces.
Read the full case study.
Read the news release.