Ontario Construction News staff writer
Durham Region has earmarked $7.45 million to support the development of two affordable housing projects through the region’s new At Home Incentive Program.
Riverbank Homes Limited will receive $5.5 million to build 75 units in the City of Oshawa and Kindred Works will receive $1.95 million to build 13 units in the City of Pickering.
Riverbank Homes proposes a six-storey building at 109 Colborne St. W. in Oshawa to support seniors and persons with disabilities.
Kindred Works, established by the United Church of Canada to repurpose church properties and respond to Canada’s housing crisis, will build housing at 1066 Dunbarton Rd. in Pickering with 41 rental units targeting equity deserving groups including Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQI+, recent immigrants and persons with disabilities.
These projects support the region’s commitment to initiate the development of 1,000 new affordable rental housing units by 2024, as outlined in At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014 to 2024 and the Master Housing Strategy.
For information about the At Home Incentive Program, visit durham.ca/AHIP.
“This $7.45 million commitment through the At Home Incentive Program will improve housing choice, affordability and sustainability in our community, and will address the urgent need for affordable housing through an expedited planning approvals process,” said John Henry, regional chair and CEO, Region of Durham. “Everyone deserves an affordable, comfortable and safe place to call home, which is why the Region remains committed to developing 1,000 new affordable rental housing units by 2024.”
In March 2022, regional council endorsed the new At Home Incentive Program (AHIP) to encourage development of new affordable rental housing through funding and expedited planning approvals.