Hastings County and The Parrot Foundation have stepped up in a big way to help get the less fortunate back on their feet.
Grace Inn Shelter Board Chair Jodie Jenkins tells Quinte News that plans are well underway to create a Transition Home at 45 South Front Street near Belleville’s waterfront.
The house, which is already zone-ready, will feature six units for those working or looking for work, that cannot currently find/afford a place of their own.
Jenkins says the competitive housing market in the area is making it tough for many people who may find themselves priced out of the market.
Between renovations to the site, and the cost to purchase, the shelter has received around $1 million for the project ($750,000 Hastings County/ $275,000 Parrott Foundation). Although the Grace Inn Shelter has done a lot of leg work to assist with the project, they will not be directly involved in the operation of the facility
Jenkins adds that the homeless shelter on Church Street can only accommodate people for 30 days or under. The transition home will allow qualified tenants to stay for a long as a year.
“The goal is to get people on their feet, in to work, and into their own place. This project has seen great support from the County of Hastings, the City of Belleville, and the Parrot Foundation. This will not meet all of the demand in the area, but it is a great start.”
“We hope to have the paperwork completed in the next two months, with the renos to begin in the summer. If all goes according to the anticipated timeline, we hope to have work done by November, and our first tenants in by the end of 2021.”
“We were in conversation with many of the neighbours. Many were concerned that a homeless shelter was going to be going right next to their homes, and that is not the case. The people this facility will be used by are looking for their own homes, but need some help and some time.”
