Plans for a new housing development with six affordable and supportive housing units have been presented to the County of Renfrew. Drawings and preliminary plans were presented to the Development and Property Committee on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022. The housing complex would be built at the corner of Lea Street and Douglas Street in the City of Pembroke.
The plan is to build a minimum of six, two bedroom units that are fully accessible and can accommodate both seniors and people with disabilities. A seventh unit would include a dedicated area for Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) and community paramedics to use.
Director of Development and Property Craig Kelley told committee members the units would be approximately 720 square feet and address mobility issues. He says the units would include two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, dining room with closet space for storage.
Renfrew Reeve and County Councillor Peter Emon says he likes the look of this housing complex. Emon says the idea of a six unit pod could be placed on rural land where there is already well and septic, escaping the urban footprint for providing affordable accessible housing. Emon adds the attached unit would also allow the support services to visit the tenants and could act as a community hub.
Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson says she is very excited about this project as housing is so badly needed. Robinson agrees this idea could be duplicated elsewhere and believes the County of Renfrew is on the verge of some great innovation as far as housing is concerned.
Construction on the community housing project is expected to start in the spring of 2022 with a goal to be complete by March 31st of 2023. Unfortunately, the estimated budget presented in the proposal exceeds the current budget allotted to this project.
County staff are recommending that a meeting be held to discuss a revision of the scope and a review of the budget to determine how efficiencies could be attained, while staff also determine next steps which will include a business plan, should it be required, for additional funds that still may be required to allow this project to move forward in a timely fashion.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
Overhead view of planned apartment complex bordering Douglas Street and Lea Street in Pembroke
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