By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland County council heard details this week of how a former bed-and-breakfast in Campbellford is on the way to becoming a supportive-housing project.

Housing Services Manager Rebecca Carman presented a report at this week's meeting detailing the scope of repairs and renovations to turn the property into a shared supportive-housing facility for five individuals.

The report asked for authorization to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the project that will include provincial funding to will permit a maximum of $350,000 worth of work in such areas as accessibility, code compliance and other requirements to make the site consistent with support services.

Carman's report listed nine needed items, such as a private office space for client-and-staff interactions, a fully accessible main entrance and renovations to create a dining room and two common gathering rooms, along with a number of health-and-safety upgrades.

When all costs are taken into account, the estimated cost per unit will be $186,000, compared with the average price of a newly constructed unit of $400,000 to $450,000.

“It's quite a reasonable investment,” she said.

Questioned on the total budget for this project, Carman added that – including the $575,000 purchase price for the property – it would come to $930,000 with other costs factored in.

“Only about 12% more than the annual average resale price in Northumberland as of Dec. 21,” her report said.

“Considering the extensive accessibility and health and safety repairs required to meet programming requirements, it should be considered a reasonable investment for a long-term sustainable supportive housing project in Northumberland.”

They are currently navigating interested community partner agencies in the project, so details of tenancy are still to be worked out.