Ontario Construction News staff writer
The County of Wellington is hoping to purchase a property from the City of Guelph for a transitional housing project to assist people experiencing homelessness. For this to happen, the property at 65 Delhi St. will need to be rezoned from parkland to residential use.
Guelph council declared the property a surplus asset to be sold and has not identified a future use. A December 2020 staff report noted the property needs about $800,000 in renovations.
“The final sale of this property to the County is conditional on rezoning,” Scott Stewart, chief administrative officer. “Last year, council directed staff to declare 65 Delhi a surplus asset. It would be great to see this property used to support those in our community who need it the most.”
The County must now apply to the municipality for a zoning change to enable the purchase of the property for its intended use. The rezoning process. If the rezoning from parkland to residential is not approved, the property will not be sold to the County.
“The Loyola House Supportive Temporary Accommodation Pilot potentially ends in the fall,” said Warden Kelly Linton. “By relocating to the 65 Delhi St. location in Guelph we’ll be able to provide units to people who really need support and a safe place to live.
“The location is also ideal for easier access to important community support services. Building safe and suitable housing helps to strengthen the economy, build communities and support overall personal well-being.”
The property was acquired by Guelph in 1911 for an isolation hospital and was converted to a recreational space in the 1960s. Guelph Wellington Paramedic Services, currently occupying half of the space, is moving to a new location later this year.