Early drawings seen in a presentation to council
A presentation about a possible affordable housing project was made at Bluewater Council this week by Mac Voisin and Marcela Bahar, Owners of the White Squirrel Golf Course and Restaurant about on-site housing.
Voisin started the presentation to council saying the need for affordable housing is at an all time high- especially with people in the hospitality industry.
About 6 months ago they sat down with CAO Laurie Spence Bannerman and Development Manager Aaron Stewardson and discovered they have a mutual problem, so they came together and looked at communities that could use more affordable housing.
They hope to build homes on the golf course, and are in a position to build several hundred housing units, with all the infrastructure in place.
Voisin says if they can get the support of staff and council to work with them and move it ahead quickly, they would be prepared to give it everything they’ve got, and have shovels in the ground this year.
Stephen Giustitzia, Development Consultant, who has worked in affordable housing in London says after reading some stats about housing in the area – he was shocked.
Traditionally seasonal staff come in and find seasonal housing, but now people in permanent sectors are being affected by the shortage.
Additional housing in the community would facilitate business growth, and contribute to housing sustainability in employment sectors
Councilor Bill Whetstone chimed into the conversation, presenting the facts.
The current plan for development is to have an apartment building with mixed housing – 500 sq foot affordable units at $1000-$1200 a month, 800 and 1000 sq foot units, along side a medical clinic and conference centre.
After discussion, council directed staff to continue to work with the developer and bring forward future plans.
Written by: K. Milhomens