An affordable housing project in Orillia is one step closer to reality.
A report brought to the County of Simcoe’s committee of the whole Tuesday saw councillors show their support by accepting the staff recommendation regarding the Orillia hub development update and leasehold improvement costing.
The report also included allowances for adjustments to the project budget to reflect development charge revenue loss as a result of Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, as well as to include the required budget for the completion of the cost-recoverable leasehold improvements for the social and community services commercial agency space.
The report asked council to allow the use of $5,792,400 in federal and provincial funds under the 2023-24 Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative and the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative to be used to partially offset the increased unfinanced capital required for the project, which was a result of the development charge revenue loss, as well as to reduce contributions from the cities of Barrie and Orillia.
“I just want to reiterate my support for this project and say thanks to everyone (at) the county for bringing this forward because this is a really essential housing project. We honestly needed it in Orillia five years ago, so it’s great to see it come to fruition right now,” said Orillia Coun. Jay FaIlis.
“It sounds like this is kind of the final piece of the puzzle in terms of funding, so it really is almost there. I just wanted to put it out there that this is a really great project (and) to see it’s coming forward. I urge all of county council to support this.”
The county officially broke ground on the development — which has been designed to include 130 mixed affordable residential units that will house seniors, families and individuals — in November 2022. It will also include a number of community services, primarily on the ground level with resources and supports including Ontario Works, children services, social housing offices, and community agencies.
The affordable housing component of the site will provide increased access to affordable housing for households from across the area with the maximum rents capped at 80 per cent of average market rates as determined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
