A major new wave of combined federal and provincial funding has been announced for a seniors apartment building in Belleville.
Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette and MPP Tyler Allsopp announced the combined $375,000 in funding through the Canada Ontario Community Housing Initiative, for the construction of Epworth Place.
Epworth Place, located on Aldersgate Drive as part of the Aldersgate Village development, will have 84 apartment units with 46 of them committed to affordable housing. The building is designed to support the senior community with additional amenities including lounges, recreation rooms, a community garden, and a library service.
In an interview with Quinte News, MP Malette said that this announcement is just the start.
“We have projects such as Pinecrest and Bloomfield,” said MP Malette. “In Belleville we have, of course, the Habitat build on Dundas at the old police station and various others. These are the kinds of partnerships we need, and we hope to see many more here in the future.”
Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp said that this building is another step in addressing the community’s housing shortfalls.
“I’m very happy partnering with the federal government on this, because we know there’s a significant need for affordable housing in our community. It’s been loud and clear every time I go to the doors, it’s one of the top issues, and really across demographics,” said MPP Allsopp. “We know that certainly young people are struggling to get into affordable housing, the middle class is also struggling.”
Construction at the site is already underway, and residents are expected to move in later this summer.
Construction is well underway at 7b Aldersgate Drive on the new apartment building. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
