Kitchener non-profit to head 'deeply affordable' housing project in Guelph

Kitchener non-profit Thresholds Homes and Supports will be heading an affordable housing project for seniors in Guelph.

The City of Guelph announced the partnership in a news release Thursday that they've selected Thresholds Homes and Supports to "build and operate 13 deeply affordable rental units" at 14 Edinburgh Road S. in Guelph.

"Affordable supportive housing for seniors is exactly what our city needs," Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said in a media release about the project.

"This urgent need is why council unanimously approved using this current underperforming piece of city-owned land, while leveraging the federal Housing Accelerator Fund program, to get this project underway."

The city will be contributing nearly half an acre of city-owned land for the project. The project will receive up to $1.5 million in federal funding via the Housing Accelerator Fund.

'Deeply affordable' housing

The 13-unit housing project will provide "deeply affordable" housing to seniors living with mental health issues. The three-storey building will have "full-time, on-site support services that promote independence, wellness and connection," the city's release said.   

Eric Philip, CEO of Thresholds Homes and Supports, told CBC News in a phone interview that the goal for Thresholds has always been to support people who are at risk.

"There are so many seniors in the Guelph community who are risk of not being able to maintain their home, or in need of a different type of home that can support their needs before they may be going to long-term care," he said.

Once completed, Philip says the rent is expected to be around $500 per month. He says that's to allow for rent subsidies to ensure residents will only pay their Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) shelter allowance for an apartment.

"It is the most affordable style of housing that we can produce today and it is extremely needed in a time when rents are very high," he said.

ODSP provides income and employment support to people with disabilities, regardless if physical or mental in nature.

Project timeline

Philip said the project's timeline is still in the works, but they're hoping to finish the project and be ready for occupancy by early 2027.

"We're hoping to get our shovels in the ground next spring, summer [of] 2026," he said. "Then it'll take us about a year to build from there."

Guthrie said this project is the first time a city-owned land will be used for this purpose. He expressed excitement about the possibility of doing similar work in the future for "all types of housing units." 

The city and Thresholds Homes and Supports are currently working to coordinate mandatory studies, as well as the signing of the agreement around the transfer of land and funding.

The two will host a meet-and-greet with the project team on Aug. 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Sunny Acres Park.  Residents and businesses are invited to drop by to learn more about the project.