By Cecilia Nasmith
COVID-19 and a shift to an entirely new model of governance were among many challenges the Northumberland County Housing Corporation overcame in 2020.
The struggles, along with the accomplishments, were highlighted this week at the NCHC's annual general meeting, held virtually because of the pandemic.
Following its transition to a skills-based board in 2019 (with membership made up of the county's chief administrative officer, two members of county council and community members), NCHC is governed by both a shareholder direction and corporate by-laws, and 2020 represented its first full fiscal year under this structure.
The board's work focuses on implementing the county's key strategic priorities as identified in the Affordable Housing Strategy and the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, a key focus being to expand rental stock (both rent-geared-to-income and market-value units).
The COVID-19 pandemic not only forced many services to become virtual (such as meetings with clients and finding alternative methods of rent payment), it also resulted in some on-site changes. Common rooms were closed, picnic tables were removed, electronic messaging boards were installed (along with many hand-sanitizer stations), increased cleaning and disinfecting was undertaken at common touch points, mandatory mask requirements were enforced and – during the first wave – playgrounds were closed.
There was also a variety of supportive programming, such as the distribution of fresh produce and other necessary supplies. In this way, and others, COVID-19 also highlighted the vulnerability of these tenants. The report contained what it referred to as some key housing realities.
• The average market rent in Northumberland is more expensive than in neighbouring communities, including the City of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes and Hastings County.
• The year-to-date average house resale price as of September 2020 was $570,670, well above what the average household can afford.
• The waitlist for social housing is now approaching 10 years in some communities. At 950 households, it has grown more than 260% in the last 10 years.
• The vacancy rate remains low, and there have been virtually no new primary market rent units built since 2016.
Unaffordability and unavailability of rental units in the county is a concern.
The Help Centre has examined the issue and calculates a local vacancy rate of 1.3%, less than half the provincial average of 3.2%. In 2020, 300 households were added to the centralized waitlist, but only 43 were housed from that list.
Further demographics show that, of these 300 households, 64% were non-senior one- or two-person households (often looking for a one-bedroom unit), while 31% were households with dependents and 5% were seniors.
The NCHC administers the largest portfolio of subsidized housing in Northumberland, and is one of the largest landlords in our community. That portfolio includes 344 owned and operated rent-geared-to-income units ranging from one- to four-bedroom units, located in Port Hope, Cobourg, Colborne, Brighton and Campbellford. Of this number, there are 41 townhomes or semi-detached units in three locations and 303 apartment units in 11 buildings (of which 56% are geared to seniors). And all this does not include rent supplements to tenants living in privately run households.
The year saw $382,746.56 of capital investments in NCHC properties, including thermal scans and repairs on all NCHC building to ensure safe electrical systems.
In Cobourg, hot-water tanks were replaced at 330 King St. E.
In Brighton, common-area lighting was replaced with new LED fixtures at 12A Meade St., with siding, eavestroughing and soffit replaced at 2 Francis St.
In Colborne, drainage improvements alleviated standing-water problems at 6 Percy St., and hot-water tanks were replaced at 8 King St. W. (where Ontario Priorities Housing Initiatives funding was directed for the installation of a new lift to be completed in March 2021).
Other 2021 plans include LED lighting upgrades, stove replacements, hot-water tank installations, and walkway and patio improvements. As well, 11 balconies will be replaced at 24 Queen St., Port Hope.
Looking ahead, there's big news in Cobourg with the Elgin Park redevelopment project that will see nine older semi-detached homes on Elgin Street East torn down and four 10-plex units built, for a net gain of 22 units.
Supporting tenants displaced by the move is an important part of the planning, and those already moving out for Phase One of the project have been successfully relocated. They are expecting to receive Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative funding in the amount of $5,770,000 in support of the project. They will work with Habitat For Humanity Northumberland to support salvaging from the buildings prior to demolition, and will also work with affected tenants to minimize and mitigate any potential impacts.
Also in Cobourg, the NCHC is working with project partners for the development of a future housing project at 473 Ontario St.
On a broader scale, NCHC is working with the county on developing a landbank, along with the on-going development of shovel-ready, funding-ready projects.
As the report concludes in its closing statement, “The NCHC continues to focus on client-centred service delivery and will strive to be a landlord of first choice and support all tenants in achieving housing stability.”
