Over 600 municipal affordable housing units in Chatham-Kent could soon be getting repairs if a contribution from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is approved by council.
On Monday night, Chatham-Kent councillors will be asked to take advantage of a $2.2 million offer from CMHC towards renovating municipally-owned community social housing, including mechanical upgrades, roofing, windows and doors, and unit renovations.
The municipality said $5.2 million has already been set aside in the four-year lifecycle budget over the next three years, but this new money from CMHC would mean a significant change in scope to what was previously planned and committed.
Staff is also recommending hiring a project manager to manage the repairs to the municipally-owned community social housing buildings for three years at a cost of just over $450,000 to be funded through reserves.
"Chatham-Kent, like many communities across Canada, is in desperate need of increased affordable housing. New, dedicated affordable housing construction has largely been paused over the last two decades. This has meant that while the need has grown, the resources have not, which is resulting in larger than ever waitlists for this critical community asset. In Chatham-Kent alone, 1,370 households are currently waiting for affordable housing," said administration.
Administration said CMHC contacted the municipality in February with this funding opportunity.
CMHC funding conditions include the following:
- Repairs would need to be complete within the next three years
- Proponents would receive no more than 40 per cent of total funding
- Units are not required to meet Affordable Housing Fund energy or accessibility criteria; though best efforts to incorporate are encouraged
- Priority will be given to proponents serving women and their children fleeing violence and people with disabilities, adding that offers may be considered serving other target tenant groups