Haldimand backs new affordable housing plan in Dunnville
‘Optimized’ proposal will allow for an extra 21 units for $2.3 million
Haldimand councillors have backed an expanded community housing initiative that will add a child care centre and more than double the number of affordable rentals at a new Dunnville apartment complex.
Described by county staf as an “optimized” plan, the building at Frank Marshall Business Park will include 56 units, up from an original 35, with a ground floor child care centre. The five-storey complex will include a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom units.
At the Oct. 29 council-in-committee meeting, Haldimand councillors approved a plan that will see the number of “affordable” units rise from 13 to 28.
The number of rent-geared-to-income units will remain at 14. Market rental units will increase from eight to 14.
The expanded housing plan was ratified by council on Nov. 4.
Spearheaded by Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC) with planning and design assistance from Flourish, a non-profit real estate development services company, the new building is set to break ground next year.
HNHC is one of nine local housing corporations in Ontario and the largest community housing provider in Haldimand and Norfolk. It manages 544 homes, housing more than 1,000 residents — or 77 per cent of the rent-geared-to-income housing available in the two counties.
Matt Bowen, HNHC CEO, said the building — next to the Dunnville Memorial Arena on Ramsey Drive — will provide barrier-free units for residents facing accessibility challenges and units for women fleeing violence.
“This building, this location, with the services that we are anticipating will really be remarkable,” he said. “We truly are meeting our mandate to be a real community housing provider and that excites me.”
Graham Cubitt, president of Flourish, said construction is expected to take two years.
In addition to Haldimand’s prior commitment of $4.6 million, councillors pledged $2.3 million in new funds for the added units, while applying for cash from the provincial and federal governments to limit the impact on the tax levy.
Cubitt said funds available from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to optimize accessibility and energy efficiency — as much as $75,000 per unit —would further lower the cost to taxpayers.
While Haldimand’s $4.6-million commitment would more than cover the initial 35-unit plan, Cubitt said the optimized model gives the county more bang for its buck. “We do believe that $2.3 million is a heck of a value in terms of being able to build
21 additional homes,” Cubitt noted.
Coun. Patrick O’Neill, who represents the area, welcomed the new plan. “Obviously, there’s an extra bit of money there, a little bit of a price tag, but I think the value that comes with that is just unbelievable.”
Coun. John Metcalfe also commended staf and Flourish for the revamped proposal.
“It’s checking all the boxes, and it couldn’t be in a better location,” he said. “It’s perfect. Somehow, we’ll come up with that extra money.”
A report on housing and homelessness delivered to councillors in August indicated a slim supply of affordable housing options in Haldimand and Norfolk, along with a 0.2 per cent rental vacancy rate.
Sarah Page, general manager of health and social services for the two counties, said at the time a lack of affordable rentals pushed the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom unit up 35 per cent year-over-year (to $1,190 from $882).
Or read the full article HERE.
