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Residents set to move into county's largest affordable housing project

There is already more than 100 families on the wait list for new facility; 'There was significant interest' in project
2019-01-16-SimcoeCountyHousing-EE
Two apartment buildings built by the County of Simcoe last year are nearing completion. Erika Engel/CollingwoodToday

Tenants of the County of Simcoe’s largest housing development project ever undertaken now have an official move-in date.

The Town of Collingwood Affordable Housing Development – located at High, Second and Elm Streets – is slated for occupancy next month.

“(The building at) 475 Second Street in Collingwood is nearing completion,” said Arfona Zwiers, director of social housing for the County of Simcoe.

“The units are going through final inspections and any minor items are being addressed prior to occupancy. Tenants are scheduled to start moving into their units in May 2019.”

The building that will be ready first is a six-storey residential apartment building geared to families with one, two and three-bedroom options.

The other building is for seniors, with a planned opening window of fall 2019. There are 55 units for families (building A) and adult housing and 92 units dedicated for seniors (building B).

Tenants of the affordable housing units will pay about $630/month for a one-bedroom unit and $744 for a two-bedroom unit.

The buildings are mixed-use, with commercial/office space for social services such as Ontario Works, rent-geared-to-income and affordable units.

“With a project of this size and scope, combined with the damp fall construction season, we’re very pleased to come close to achieving our expected project deadlines and look forward to welcoming the new tenants in May,” she said.

The application process for the units opened on Dec. 13, 2018, and the county received an onslaught of applications for the units.

“There was significant interest and more than 100 households are on the current wait-list for this new facility,” said Zwiers.

Successful candidates for the units were screened to follow provincially legislated/council-approved criteria.

The criteria included being a Canadian citizen, being 16 years of age or older, having no arrears to a social housing provider in Ontario, only having one residence, income being below a set limit and having assets less than $50,000.

“Regarding next steps, site work for final asphalt, grounds and landscaping, tree planting and other outdoor items will be addressed. Staff are also busy putting in place equipment and utility items to finish off the units,” said Zwiers.

For more information on how to apply for affordable housing through the County of Simcoe, click here.


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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