Some much needed affordable housing could be coming to Chatham-Kent.
On Monday night, municipal council will vote on the construction of two different affordable housing developments. The first one up for approval is a single-story, two-unit semidetached new build of accessible rental units at 90 Wellington St. East in Chatham. The two-unit building proposed includes two one-bedroom affordable units that are both accessible.
Council will also vote on a proposal to construct a two-story 22-unit new building of affordable rental units on George Street in Ridgetown. The 22-unit building would be comprised of 22 single one-bedroom affordable units, 11 of which will be accessible units on the ground floor.
Both projects are being proposed by the same developer, who is also requesting $250,000 in funding from the Municipal Affordable Housing Reserve for the two-unit building and $2.7 million for the 22-unit building.
In June of 2020, Chatham-Kent's Housing Services Department issued a $3 million request for proposal for the development of affordable housing in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent using Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative Year 2 funding, available 2020 municipal budget for transfer to affordable housing reserve and up to an additional $1.1 million from the Housing Services Operations Reserve.
According to a staff report, two proposals were received however, the Housing Services Department determined that neither met the necessary requirements in the best interest of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The municipality was then approached by another affordable housing developer that has previously, and is currently, constructing affordable housing projects in Chatham-Kent. The developer presented the two housing projects that will be going up for council approval on Monday.
"The need for affordable housing in Chatham-Kent has significantly grown in recent years. The proponent’s proposals for affordable housing, target priority populations and community need, which includes one-bedroom units, seniors, people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, and accessible units," stated the report. "The proponent has also included an agreement with the supportive service provider, Community Living, for the 90 Wellington St. East, Chatham units to target specific sub-populations such as persons with disabilities receiving Ontario Disability Support Program benefits whom are in great need of affordable housing."
Both projects are subject to the terms and conditions of a Municipal Contribution Agreement and meeting zoning and building site requirements.
