Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Guelph has donated a half acre of land and selected Thresholds Homes and Supports to build and operate 13 deeply affordable rental units.
“Affordable supportive housing for seniors is exactly what our city needs,” Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said in a media release about the project. “This urgent need is why council unanimously approved using this current underperforming piece of city-owned land, while leveraging the federal Housing Accelerator Fund program, to get this project underway.”
“This is the first parcel being used in this way and I’m excited for more opportunities just like this in the future for all types of housing units.”
Along with the land, the project which will receive up to $1.5 million in federal funding via the Housing Accelerator Fund. Grinham Architects collaborated with THS to design the sustainably built, fully accessible residential building
The new housing will be open to seniors living with mental health issues, offering fully accessible units in a three-storey, sustainably designed building. THS will provide full-time, on-site support services that promote independence, wellness and connection.
In February, the city invited proposals from non-profit housing providers to build and operate at least 12 affordable rental units on the site. THS was selected for its strong proposal, commitment to long-term affordability and its history of supporting individuals across the housing continuum in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph area.
“We commend the city for taking this step to invest in affordable seniors’ housing in Guelph,” said Eric Philip, CEO of Thresholds Homes and Supports. “The homes at 14 Edinburgh will address a core community need while allowing its residents to contribute to a healthy neighbourhood.”
Rent will be aligned with income supports such as the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). All units will remain affordable, according to the provincial definition in the Affordable Residential Unit Bulletin, for at least 99 years.
THS and municipal officials will host a community meet-and-greet with the project team on Aug. 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sunny Acres Park. Residents and businesses are invited to drop by, learn more and ask questions.
This project is one of the eight initiatives in the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund action plan and one of 30 actions in its Housing Affordability Strategy, which aims to bring more housing that is affordable to Guelph over the next decade.
To learn more or sign up for the project updates, visit thresholdssupports.ca or guelph.ca/housing.
