A new way of building affordable homes is being touted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Opportunity Villages, a non-profit group, is developing Chatham-Kent’s first modern life-lease small home community model at 10 per cent below the current market value in the area.
"In the past, smaller homes were often referred to as wartime houses and were perfect for first-time homebuyers, small families, and those who were looking to retire and downsize," said Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte. "We’re taking the idea of wartime houses and updating it by mixing it together with the vast improvements in building materials, construction technology, and the innovations developed over the past 60 years."
At this stage, it's only a plan but Kirkwood-Whyte said this will result in a home that is more cost-effective to own, live in, and maintain. The land for the project at 10 Taylor Avenue in Chatham has already been purchased and partners, such as the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, have committed resources for the development to move ahead. However, zoning updates are still being reviewed.
"We’re well past the dreaming stage and are running at full speed towards finishing the final site plans and getting ready to have some shovels in the ground as soon as possible," said Steve Pratt, the group's board president. "There are approximately 30 houses that will be available."
The group is reaching out to the community to gather expressions of interest which will help inform its final decisions.
People interested in the housing project can visit www.ovclt.ca to provide their contact information and sign up for updates, including unit floor plans and when and how to buy.
