Community leaders gathered on Monday for the official ribbon cutting and unveiling of a brand new affordable and supportive housing development in Sarnia.
The three-storey building located at 471 Kathleen Avenue, has 50 one-bedroom units that are all rent-geared-to-income.
"We offered units through the centralized waitlist, following the Housing Services Act rules. In terms of the rent, it is rent-geared-income. On average, about 30 per cent of your gross income is what you would pay in rent," said Manager of Housing Services for the County of Lambton, Melisa Johnson. "We do have a maximum rent that we set, which is 80 per cent of the average market rent."
Rent is to be adjusted each year, which is when any changes in income would be recalculated. Johnson noted that residents are able to stay in their unit until they are ready and able to leave, and that people are staying in rent-geared-income units longer as market rents increase.
"The first two move-ins are on Thursday, and then starting next Monday we have two move-ins a day. So it'll take until about Christmas time."
Chosen from over 100 resident submissions, the new development has been named "The Orchard."
"The name The Orchard was chosen because it reflects growth, community resilience, and new beginnings." said Johnson.
At the ribbon cutting, Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott spoke about the need for more projects like this in the city.
"This is exciting. These 50 units are one of the largest (projects) we've had in recent memory. So, with the shortage of housing that is evident here in Sarnia-Lambton, this is a big step forward to closing that gap of people that that need," said Marriott. "Our wait list is long, and this will take a nice bite out of it. And with the federal announcement last week in their budget that they're going to spend a few billion over the next few years, we're hoping this is a launchpad for getting more builds after this. It's not the final answer by any means, but it's going to help a lot."
More than 1,100 households are currently on Lambton County's centralized housing waitlist, with wait times averaging at four years.
Marriott and Mayor Mike Bradley noted how there is some hostility surrounding projects like these.
"There is a lot of negativity out there that's associated when you hear the word affordable housing and I'm hoping that this project does help relieve that." said Marriott.
"In this community, unfortunately, Indwell became a negative word, supportive housing became a negative word, and they're not. Look at the March of Dimes; that's supportive housing. Look at Community Living; that's supportive housing. And they're going to put someone into a new unit and give them a shot at a better life," said Bradley.
Of the 50 total units available within the development, 14 have been specifically designed to be fully wheelchair accessible.
"I think it's very important for the community to have affordable housing," said Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Sarnia-Lambton Bob Bailey. "It's a great opportunity, especially for people with physical disabilities and mobility issues."
The final cost of the project has yet to be released, however it was stated everything was built on time and within budget.
