Orleans church wants to convert property to affordable housing units
An Orléans church wants to give back to the community by developing its property into an affordable housing complex.
The plan still needs city approval, but would include 81 residential units.
The proposed site, which is currently a green field, is at 360 Kennedy Lane East, next to the Queenswood United Church.
Kindred Works CEO, Tim Blair, wants to develop the area and build 81 residential units.
“It would involve housing 160 residents in a combination of townhomes and three-storey walk ups that allow front doors and backyards,” said Blair.
Blair says a third of the units would be below market rent to help address the affordable housing crisis.
“We would love to have shovels in the ground this fall,” he said. “We are really waiting right now on the city and the planning approval process that needs to occur, but we know that we are in a housing crisis so every time or every delay is a delay in getting people homes that they need.”
The land is the property of the Queenswood United Church and still has to be rezoned for residential use.
“We are transferring ownership over to the project itself,” said Rosemarie MacLennan, the property development committee chair for the church.
MacLennan says the church would stay as a tenant.
“We will continue as a congregation here as we need space for worship,” she said. “We will also have the space for community groups.”
Some neighbours have concerns with the proposed project.
"I realize it’s mostly their property, but at the end of the day green space is required around here and we don’t have enough of it,” said Jeff Paul, who lives in the area.
“The end result is we need it and we don’t have enough parking," he said.
The project is still in the municipal approval process and the developer says a date for council to vote on the project hasn’t been set.
Blair says they are working on seven other similar projects involving church property and affordable housing in cities across Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.