There are multiple affordable housing projects moving along in Prince Edward County.
Prince Edward County council heard an update from Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation Executive Director Chuck Dowdall at its meeting Tuesday.
The affordable housing development planned for the former Wellington Arena site is moving along.
Dowdall explained what they’re looking at doing with the building.
“What the proposed site could look like under two scenarios … one being if the current building structure of the arena was maintained and refurbished or converted or if it was demolished and a new structure was put in place.”
Dowdall said the projected cost is approximately $5.8 to $6.2 million and they’re aiming to get shovels in the ground in December of this year or January of next year. The project is for a 36-unit affordable housing development. Dowdall explained what residents can expect as far as rental prices.
“When I say affordable housing, the rents will be 100% affordable in the building meaning that the rents will be at least 2o% below the median market rent as established by CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).”
According to the CMHC the median rent price in Prince Edward County is $950 as of October 2020.
After recently securing funding for the project, Dowdall says the next steps are the second phase of an environmental assessment, architectural drawings based on the two scenarios, public consultation in early to mid summer and then getting shovels in the ground.
Along with the former Wellington Arena site development, there are private-public partnerships in the works for affordable rental housing developments in Picton.
“That P3 partnership is for the development of an affordable housing central to the town of Picton for 20 to 30 affordable housing units.”
Dowdall said a letter of intent for the private-public partnership development of 20 to 30 units in Picton is expected by April as there were delays due to corporate changes on the side of the private business. According to Dowdall the capital funding for the project is coming from CMHC and from the private corporation.
Another development of 40 to 50 affordable rental units in Picton with a local developer is in talks.
Dowdall also said there is a person who owns approximately 10 acres of land in the county and they’re in early talks about the development of a 30 to 40 unit tiny home community.
Lastly, Dowdall said they were contacted on Tuesday before the council meeting by a private developer interested in a rental and home ownership development in the Bloomfield area. They are currently in preliminary talks.
Affordable rent was another topic of discussion at the meeting.
Coun. Bill Roberts asked Dowdall to clarify exactly what he meant by ‘affordable housing’.
“Affordable housing is not subsidized housing. This housing accommodates individuals who are working full time, in the county for example, who are making $15 to $20 an hour.”
Dowdall said the units are aimed at people who can’t afford market rent of $1,200 and seniors who are living on pensions as well as single people who are working and single people with a child.
