Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region told County council March 27 it is still working with the County of Haliburton to try to bring 60 affordable homes to the Wee Care property in Haliburton.
Chief executive officer, Susan Zambonin, said they would also be interested in acquiring land for a ReStore in the Highlands, if a vacant, and affordable piece of property, could be found.
She noted there are three Haliburton County residents on their board of directors, including Fay Martin, who is vice chair, Minden Hills mayor and County coun. Bob Carter, and Colleen Dermody, who are directors.
Zambonin said last week, “they, as well as the rest of our board and staff, want to be building in Haliburton County, and we have not to date. We’ve built in all the other areas of our service area.
“We really need to build in the County of Haliburton, and we’re excited about the opportunity with the Wee Care property, and we’ve also made an early presentation to Algonquin Highlands council.”
As reported in the Dec. 14, 2023 Highlander, the County is in talks with Haliburton Wee Care, Habitat for Humanity, and the City of Kawartha Lakes human services department about redeveloping the nursery property on CR 21 for housing, expanded day care and other uses.
The County transferred $100,000 from its affordable housing targets reserve for technical studies needed to redesign the site.
Former director of planning, Steve Stone, said the primary goals were housing and childcare, with Dysart et al saying the site could accommodate 38 residential units, and Habitat for Humanity putting that number at 63.
The County has experienced a 300 per cent increase in the number of households waiting for community housing in the last 10 years; rental rates have risen by 72 per cent for one-bedroom apartments, and 23 per cent for two-bedroom apartments since 2018; only 50 units of affordable housing are in development towards the target of 750; and the business case for development of housing “simply does not work anymore due to increasing costs of construction, increasing interest rates and limited funding from other levels of government,” the County’s former planner said.
Zambonin told councillors last week, Habitat for Humanity has a model that has worked elsewhere. It is called a financial partner model and involves no down payment, a credit union low-interest first mortgage for the homebuyer and Habitat for Humanity holding a second mortgage – with no payment until sale or refinancing, and an equity stake payable on sale and refinancing. It means they can build for $172 per square foot. They also get money from the CMHC and cash donations.
Their most recent project is Leahy’s Place phase one in Peterborough. Zambonin said they were able to build for $10.6 million, which was 30 per cent less than market budget.
Zambonin said there are lots of misconceptions about what they do.
“People think we give houses away for free.” However, “we aren’t social housing. We’re not rental housing. We’re not market home ownership. We’re affordable home ownership only.”
The executive director noted that in the past, they had only built for families, but want to supply more housing to singles, seniors and single parents.
As for the ReStore, which covers Habitat for Humanity’s operational costs, Zambonin said if anybody knew about affordable, vacant land, in the County, they should get in touch.
Habitat also recently spoke to AH council about potential land they have for housing.
“So, there’s lots that we’re looking to do and would love to be in this County,” Zambonin said.
Warden Liz Danielsen commented, “it’s just fabulous to see such a wonderful and innovative approach to providing home ownership to low-income families. I know it’s changing but the cost per square foot that you’re able to construct at is really rather extraordinary. I’ve heard as much as $700 a square foot for construction in these days. And I do have to say on behalf of Algonquin Highlands, we are really looking forward to continued discussion and exploring opportunities there.”
As reported in the Feb. 29 Highlander, Zambonin met with AH and Danielsen said the township had identified four lots that could be suitable for development, the largest along Hwy. 118.
Coun. Murray Fearrey complimented their free kitchen and home deconstruction service out of the ReStore. “I think that’s a pretty exciting program, and I have to admire the initiatives that you’ve taken… pretty creative… but you are targeting the right area of people. These are the people that need it. They’re working. They’re contributing to the community. It’s a win-win, so we look forward to working with you.”
