Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region is seeking a $12.5 million loan from Infrastructure Ontario to help pay for its planned 35-unit affordable housing build on Peninsula Road in Haliburton.
CEO Susan Zambonin was at County council May 27 to request the upper tier reach-out to provincial officials on Habitat’s behalf.
“It would be construction financing for up to three years. Affordable housing projects can be considered for this type of loan,” Zambonin told council. “This would help us to have a low-interest loan, as opposed to going through the bank and only getting 60 per cent of what we need as a construction mortgage.
“This is one way the County can help us without costing you anything,” she added.
Council did not make a decision, instead directing staff to report back on the request at a future meeting.
Habitat is partnering with County-based non-profit Places for People (P4P) on the project. While Habitat is handling construction, P4P has committed to purchasing 15 of the 35 units, which it intends to offer for rent at below-market rates. Habitat will sell the remaining 20 units to the public through its homeownership program.
To qualify, Zambonin said applicants require a household income that supports homeownership but is less than $95,000 a year, no outstanding debt, and a credit score of 600 or more. People must secure an initial mortgage through an eligible credit union, with Habitat making up the difference through a second mortgage.
Through Habitat’s model, Zambonin said people never pay more than 30 per cent of their income towards housing costs – which includes insurance, condo fees and property taxes.
All units will be one and two-bedroom, with Zambonin telling The Highlander last fall they will likely be priced under $400,000. The building is slated to be three storeys, with main floor units being mostly accessible. There will be an elevator for people on higher floors.
Planning is well underway with Habitat hiring an architect, Neil Campbell from Aside Architects, and a construction manager, Haliburton resident Travis Braun from Braun Custom Builds. Campbell has worked with Habitat on previous builds, including a recent 41-unit development in Peterborough.
Zambonin said she had a pre-consultation meeting with County and Dysart et al staff last week and hopes to finalize building permits this fall, with the project expected to break ground in 2027.
She’s been spending a lot of time in the County since the build was announced last September, making connections with local tradespeople who will help bring the units to life.
“Haliburton has been an incredibly supportive and welcoming community and we at Habitat look forward to breaking ground and launching a build that will offer much-needed affordable ownership and rental units to the County,” she said.
Bunkie auction
Fundraising efforts are now well underway to help P4P pay its share, with the nonprofit’s founder, Fay Martin, saying it will likely be millions of dollars.
Local developer Paul Wilson has already committed $500,000 to P4P’s cause, part of the proceeds from selling the land on Peninsula Road to Habitat for $1.2 million last year. After bringing in just shy of $60,000 at its annual ‘sleeping in cars’ event in March, P4P is back at it again with a bunkie auction, running until Canada Day.
Launching May 16, people can bid on a seven-by-10-foot bunkie constructed by volunteers during an annual womens’ build retreat Habitat hosted in Haliburton last fall.
“The completed structure was built with one goal in mind: to support the future of affordable housing in Haliburton County. For all 60 women who participated, it was an opportunity to help build something meaningful. For many, it was their first time swinging a hammer or using construction tools,” Zambonin said.
“It takes a village to build a home – and an even bigger village to build 35,” she added.
All the materials for the bunkie were provided by Habitat, who donated the finished structure to P4P.
The bunkie is valued at $7,500, with the top bid as of press time $4,000. People have until 11:55 p.m. June 30 to register their interest. The winning bid will be announced by P4P on Canada Day.
“Whether it’s storage, a guest bunkie or a creative retreat, this is your chance to add something truly unique to your property,” said P4P president Susan Tromanhauser. “The structure is solid, thoughtfully crafted and full of potential. Finish it your way and make it your own.”
P4P said it will deliver the bunkie within a 50-kilometre radius of Haliburton Home Hardware, where it’s being stored. Bids can be made virtually through Zeffy or on information cards at select local businesses.
To place a bid, visit www.placesforpeople. ca/news/bid-on-a-bunkie-with-charityauction-for-places-for-people.
Other projects
Zambonin also delivered an update on Habitat’s partnership with the County to develop 60 affordable units at the Wee Care property in Haliburton.
“We’ve put together a concept of four different buildings where we could stagger the construction, if necessary, to then be able to provide additional daycare space, should the daycare decide that’s what they’d like,” she said.
The plan calls for two 16-unit buildings and two 12-unit buildings, with space for a new daycare facility. There’s currently no timeline for breaking ground.
Zambonin revealed Habitat has also made an offer to purchase the Haliburton Heights timeshare building at 1699 Wigamog Rd.
Their plan is to convert the property into 22 condos for affordable home ownership – six studios, six one-bedroom units and 10 two-bed units. She noted the project would require rezoning and an amendment to Dysart’s official plan.
“It’s a very well-maintained property… we have met with a few councillors from Dysart and had conversations with the planning department,” Zambonin said.
She asked County council to go to Infrastructure Ontario to request a further $3.5 million loan that Habitat will use as acquisition financing. For both, this project and the one on Peninsula Road, Zambonin said Habitat would aim to pay back the loan over three years, once it has recouped money from selling the units.
