There's a new housing development possibly coming to Chatham that would focus on bringing more affordable living options to the area.
Councillor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte is one of the members of a group of people that are currently working on bringing a community of small homes to Chatham. Kirkwood-Whyte said in spring 2019, the group started a discussion a notion of creating a development filled with what are commonly referred to as "tiny homes." She said from there, the idea grew into something bigger.
"What we're looking at right now is a small home community in Chatham-Kent approximately 30 units, ranging in size from approximately 600 to 800 square feet," she explained. "This is not tiny homes, this is not the ones you would see on wheels or that are 12 by eight feet wide. These are little homes that will be 20-24 feet wide with porches, and an opportunity when neighbours are walking by to say hello. We're really trying to build something that doesn't exist right now in Chatham-Kent."
Referring to it as a "unique" venture, Kirkwood-Whyte said the project would be a homeownership concept rather than rentals.
"We're focusing not on affordable housing rentals, but more affordable homeownership for singles, couples and seniors that might want to downsize," she said.
According to Kirkwood-Whyte, the concept is still in its very early stages. However, she said they have a very ambitious timeline of hoping to start construction in the spring of 2020. She said the first step is to get all the necessary approvals.
"There's a lot of prep work that has to be done around the formation of a not-for-profit organization that will provide oversight," she explained. "We have a lot of work to do. The first steps in the process are to create a legal entity to provide oversight. Then to begin the process of design work and talking to all of the partners that we would want to engage."
If all goes as planned, the development would also feature a community centre and would be built to be as eco-friendly as possible.
Kirkwood-Whyte said the team is looking closely at similar projects that other communities have done. She said the concept is a passion of hers that is years in the making, with the original idea begin discussed over four years ago when she was CEO of the United Way of Chatham-Kent.
"The momentum kind of fell off and then I retired," she said. "Then, during the campaign for mayor last year, Darrin Canniff was talking about tiny homes and he knew that I was very interested so he asked if I would like to participate and get more involved in this particular initiative."
In the meantime, as the technicalities get sorted out, Kirkwood-Whyte said they are looking to speak with potential investors and community partners who want to get involved in the venture as well as any individuals or businesses who would want to provide product for the homes and construction materials.
She also said she's open to hearing from potential residents who want to be part of what she says will be a close-knit community where neighbours look out for one another.
"I'm prepared to accept telephone calls and to keep track of ideas that people might have about making this little development as efficient as it can be and as friendly," she said. "People need a roof over their head and we want everybody to be able to have that same opportunity to enjoy affordable housing."