County hopes to build 60 affordable apartments
Council will consider next steps in Colborne project at its Aug. 14 meeting
Northumberland County is moving ahead with plans to develop 60 units of affordable housing at 123 King Street East in Colborne, currently the site of an older building with 22 low-rent bachelor units.
Northumberland County Housing Corporation bought the property in March 2023 for $1.5 million and carried out studies to ensure the property had services and space to be redeveloped.
At its board meeting on June 6, the housing corporation considered two possibilities – expanding to 43 units or increasing density to 60 units. It supported the second option.
On July 31, the county’s Social Services Committee considered the proposal and had a presentation from Neil Ellis, Housing Services Manager for the County.
“This is a terrific project,” said Deputy Warden Olena Hankivsky, Mayor of Port Hope. She expressed a concern about whether existing tenants would face higher rents once the existing building is replaced by new space.
Ellis said the housing corporation’s staff will do their best to keep those rents down, but noted residents are currently paying market rents, albeit low ones. If necessary, they may receive subsidies.
The plan is that the redeveloped space, which is being surrounded by housing developments by Fidelity Homes, will include a mix of bachelor, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. An initial feasibility study determined the site could support up to four three-storey buildings
“The proposed subdivision which surrounds 123 King Street, Colborne will contain a mix of single-family homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses and apartments,” Ellis said.
The Social Services Committee approved a motion to recommend that the county spend up to $1.5 million from the county’s housing reserve to hire architects and have technical studies done to move the project along. The county will consider the plan at its Aug. 14 meeting.
Ellis said he hopes the reconstruction project could start by the end of 2025, but acknowledged he might be optimistic.
The plan is to build one new structure that will be able to house all existing tenants, before tearing down the current structure and building more units. Ellis admitted it will be a challenge to ensure all tenants are accommodated in the first new building.
When the county purchased the building, it realized the structure was in poor condition and it has made upgrades to ensure that it meets the fire code, including ensuring there is a monitored fire panel and fire safety doors.
“This effort will not only enable us to replace aging units for the benefit of current tenants but also expand the number of affordable rental units available, meeting broader community need,” said Victor Fiume, chair of the housing corporation.
Long waiting lists for housing
Ellis reported the highlights of the housing corporation’s annual report to the Social Services Committee. He said that during 2023 the corporation helped 20 people get off the waiting list for affordable apartments.
He also noted that the waiting list is six to eight years, depending on which municipality a person wants to live in and what sort of accommodation they require.
Ellis said one of the corporation’s goals for 2024 is to reach a “supportive housing agreement with community partners” at 152 Cockburn St. in Campbellford.
As I noted in a story in April, the county purchased the property for $575,000 in 2021, spent another $500,000 on renovations to make it suitable for five homeless people, but had been unable to find a partner to manage the building, so it sits empty.
County at one time had a manager of the housing at the end of Front St. Would think they still have one. Housing is needed as a Bob Caldwell of Hastings has commented on Facebook he needs a place for his son. Another individual from Warkworth who has health issues has applied numerous places for accommodation.