A new three-storey build on John Street will have 27 units

Proposed John Street Housing development. Image courtesy of the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.

By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News

Cobourg

Cobourg council will consider some kind of development charge or fee waiver for a new 27-unit project on John Street by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Corporation.

The request was made at Wednesday's council meeting by Senior Director of Housing and Development Cathy Connor and Development Manager Gail Obediah

“We respectfully ask for the waiving of development fees and any additional permit fee relief or anything you can do to help us deliver affordable housing in Cobourg,” Connor said.

Their organization is the largest Indigenous housing provider in Ontario, paying $4.5-million in taxes and more than $20-million to contractors annually. They own and manage 3,300 rental properties and assist 11,000 people with housing each day. They have enabled more than 900 Indigenous families achieve the dream of home ownership.

“We try to use as many local contractors and services as possible,” Connor added.

At 321 John St., Obediah said, they will construct a three-storey building with 27 units in sizes up to three bedrooms, including some barrier-free units and a couple of studio apartments. Construction is expected to start in the spring.

“Housing of any type is a barrier to the urban Indigenous community. Our developers open up the opportunity for families needing support and stability, and some of our elders wishing to age in place,” she stated.

The request is for development charges to be waived in conformance with government policy for affordable housing, and waiver of fees or possibly some negotiation with OAHS regarding site plan agreements arrangements.

“We are here basically, humbly, asking for any type of assistance mayor and council are able to provide for us,” Connor said.

“This is the first I have heard of this project,” Councillor Brian Darling said.
Connor explained that they had purchased the property from Trinity Housing, upon hearing from the County of Northumberland that it was available. As she put it, they purchased “a fully cooked set of design plans.”

“This is very exciting for our community,” said Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty (to whom Mayor Lucas Cleveland had passed the chair).

“We really appreciate your looking to Cobourg and the John Street property,” Beatty added, noting their additional partnership with the County of Northumberland and Habitat For Humanity Northumberland on an Ontario Street development as well.