Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation celebrates official opening of Pinegrove Place in Minden

Members of Minden Hills Council, Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation (KLH Housing Corp.), Member of Parliament Jamie Schmale, partner agencies and the public celebrated at Pinegrove Place today (July 7), as the new affordable housing project was officially opened.

Pinegrove Place, located at 57 Parkside St., is a one-storey apartment building with 12 one-bedroom units for seniors and those with physical disabilities. It is Phase One of a two-phase development with a second building proposed to be built next door.

The $1.7-million project was made possible through Investment in Affordable Housing 2014 Extension Federal and Provincial funding, a $100,000 cash contribution from the County of Haliburton, a $100,000 reserve contribution from KLH Housing Corp., seed funding through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and many municipal incentives from the Township of Minden Hills including the donation of land.

"Housing of all types is important in our community, as has been indicated through a variety of studies. This is a great step to providing more housing for seniors and those with physical disabilities," said Reeve Brent Devolin. "The KLH Housing Corp. continues to build housing and capacity and we're very excited to have it here in Minden Hills.

"As we work hard to be an age-friendly community, Pinegrove Place is the perfect fit," added Reeve Devolin.

The housing will be managed by KLH Housing Corp. and will accommodate some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Partnerships with support service agencies will help ensure successful tenancies by providing on-site support within programming and service space located in the 12-unit building.

"Lack of stable and quality housing prevents full social participation and contributes to chronic poverty, poor health, and reduced educational attainment," says Hope Lee, of KLH Housing Corp., housing help division. "Housing stability benefits our whole community. By building strong, inclusive neighbourhoods, we are reducing illness and health costs and improving quality of life."

The need for housing in Minden

• In the City and County, there are currently 468 low income senior households on the waiting list for a financially-assisted one-bedroom apartment, 172 waiting for a unit in the County of Haliburton and 106 specifically waiting for a unit in Minden;
• The County's population is generally much older than Ontario's population - the median age in Haliburton County is 54 compared to 40.4 in Ontario;
• Few rental opportunities exist for moderate to low-income seniors.

Who is KLH Housing Corp.?

• KLH Housing Corp. is the largest housing provider in the City's service area, including the County of Haliburton, owning and operating more than 700 units in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Omemee, Bobcaygeon, Minden and Haliburton;
• KLH Housing Corp. provides homes for singles, couples, seniors and families in a range of unit sizes and types;
• A Board of Directors is respsonsible for the governance of KLH Housing Corp.;
• The City of Kawartha Lakes is the sole shareholder for KLH Housing Corp.

The KLH Housing Corp. vision and mission

The vision of KLH Housing Corp. is of good quality affordable housing with support services across all our communities.

It is KLH Housing Corp.'s mission to provide good quality, safe, accessible, sustainable and affordable housing for low income households in the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton, including people with special needs. In cooperation with other organizations, we create communities that foster good health and well-being by advocating for our tenants to receive the services they require.

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For more information please contact:

Jamie Steel
Communications, Advertising and Marketing Officer
705-324-9411 extension 1293
jsteel@kawarthalakes.ca