The Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation has been established for just over a year, and an update was given to the council who approved the existence of the not-for-profit organization.
Former Prince Edward County Councillor Treat Hull appeared in front of council at Shire Hall on Tuesday night at their first council meeting of the new year to give a progress update on the what the corporation has been up to.
Hull is the president of the board of directors and told those around the horseshoe about their initial focus.
The corporation has also noted their priorities are those of employees and seniors; specifically one bedroom apartments, which are in very high demand.
He says one of the key enablers for progress is the amount of land available for development.
Treat Hull discusses the Toolkit to help promote housing affordability in the County at the Picton Community Centre on February 4, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Hull says it has taken the group, with staff’s help, almost two and a half months to identify all the available municipal surplus land in an effort to develop multi-storey, multi-residential housing.
Mayor Steve Ferguson said shovels in the ground will be their mantra, as affordable housing is important to those at the council table as noted by the number of questions raised by councillors to Hull.
The operating and capital budget ask for the corporation will be dealt with in a couple of weeks at budget time. The group is asking for $135,000 per year from council for their operating budget.
As for their capital budget, Hull proposed the corporation receive half the municipal share of any accommodation tax, estimated at $200,000, which would be tourist-funded.
Council voted to receive the deputation.
