City celebrates ground-breaking for affordable housing project

Members of City of Kawartha Lakes Council, Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH Housing Corp), representatives of federal parliament, partner agencies and the public joined together at the site of the new project on Lindsay Street north at the corner of Queen Street.

Mayor Andy Letham commented, "Affordable housing must be the cornerstone of any poverty reduction plan. This project is one of the ways that, together with our federal and provincial partners, we're executing a housing strategy to support our residents. We recognize that housing stability benefits our whole community."

The $8 million project is supported by all levels of government. Partial funding is provided through the 2016 Social Infrastructure Fund and Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario 2014 Extension to help reduce the impact of poverty through investment in safe, affordable housing. The project, which consists of 24 one bedroom apartments, is aimed at ending long term homelessness. The housing will be managed by KLH Housing Corp and will accommodate some of the most vulnerable homeless individuals in our community. Partnerships with support service agencies will help to ensure successful tenancies by providing on-site support within programming and service space located within the 24 unit building. Occupancy is expected by July 2018.

The two story building will also house the City's Human Services offices, which are currently at 322 Kent Street in Lindsay. The new location will be more convenient for many clients who access social and housing support services and will remove the rental costs currently associated with this department.

In March 2016 both City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton Councils approved participation in the 20,000 Homes National Campaign and committed to house 24 vulnerable homeless individuals by July 2018. With the assistance of over 40 volunteers, the City's Housing Help division identified 136 individuals as experiencing homelessness within our region during the Registry Week.

"Unaffordable and poor quality housing is directly connected to poor health and wellbeing. This significant investment in the quality and quantity of safe, affordable housing in Kawartha Lakes creates a foundation upon which those living in poverty and facing homelessness can build to achieve good health, wellbeing and opportunity," commented Hope Lee, Manager of Housing for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Housing Facts for Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County

• There are over 1200 residents waiting for financially assisted housing in the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton, 348 of those who identify with homelessness.
• The vacancy rate for rental apartments was noted as 0.3% in a recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation survey and the average market rent for apartments in Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton are often higher than those in the City of Peterborough.

In total, the KLH Housing is working on 64 new affordable housing units. Other projects underway include:

• Minden - Pinegrove Place, 57 Parkside Street - Includes 12 one bedroom units for seniors and those with physical disabilities. Occupancy began in April. The project is possible through Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario 2014 Extension funding, a County of Haliburton grant and many municipal incentives from the Township of Minden Hills including the donation of land.
• Lindsay - At 5 Bond Street East - construction of 12 family townhouses with 3 bedrooms each. Construction starts early summer 2017 with occupancy spring 2018. This project is funded by the sale of older homes owned by KLH Housing Corp. The City is contributing development charges, permit fees, and other related costs for the project.
• Lindsay - A 16 unit addition to 48 St. Paul Street. Construction starts early summer 2017 with occupancy spring 2018. This project is funded by the sale of older homes owned by KLH Housing Corp. The City is contributing development charges, permit fees, and other related costs for the project.

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For more information please contact:

Cheri Davidson
Manager of Communications, Advertising and Marketing
705-324-9411 extension 1355
cdavidson@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca