Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is providing $3.1 million to help build eight supportive housing units in Pembroke and $5 million to help create 43 one-bedroom units in downtown Hamilton, a three-storey building that is energy efficient and includes six accessible and barrier-free units along with supportive services on site.
A building at 1030 Lea St. in Pembroke will have four one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units with support services such as mental health and addictions counselling, health services, and life skills training intended to promote housing security, self-sufficiency and overall well-being. Four units are accessible and will support seniors and people with disabilities.
In March 2023, County Council awarded the contract for the project to Brawn Construction Limited and +VG Architects is providing contract administration and construction supervision services.
It’s the first new construction in more than 20-years for the Renfrew County Housing Corporation. Homes will be centrally located with access to schools, shopping, parks, and recreational trails, and are expected to be ready for occupancy by June 1.
Ontario announced a homelessness prevention program in 2023 with $190.5 million annually to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and support the community organizations delivering supportive housing. Funding can also be used to build new supportive housing units.
The Pembroke project was also supported by the Social Services Relief Fund, which provided over $1.2 billion of support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to help municipal service managers and Indigenous program.
The County of Renfrew was allocated $7.5 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks and emergency services.
“We are thrilled to see this new integrated community housing complex completed as it adds to the available affordable and supportive housing units in the County of Renfrew,” said Peter Emon, Warden, County of Renfrew. “As these are the first new housing units built in the County of Renfrew in nearly 60 years, we see this project as the beginning of the transformation to new housing stock in the County as we work to address the current housing crisis.”
Hamilton has been allocated $57.6 million through all phases of the Social Services Relief Fund to deliver critical services such as shelters, food banks and emergency services.
“Investments into supportive housing are essential to adequately address the compounding crises of affordable housing and mental health that our neighbours face,” said Councillor Nrinder Nann. “Indwell’s The Oaks project demonstrates how to foster belonging and wellbeing while providing quality, climate friendly, affordable housing.”