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Grey County consultant to create affordable housing concept

Grey County Council is looking at building affordable housing on land the county recently acquired in Durham.

SHS Consulting will investigate various housing options that would complement the future rebuild of Rockwood Terrace.

It will cost about $57,500 plus HST, which includes an architect subconsultant to prepare a concept plan and to assist with the costings of the options. It will be funded from the Redevelopment Reserve Fund.

The various housing models could include a campus of care model, nonprofit housing model, as well as private housing models based on the overall needs and market conditions within the area. .

A report to Council explained that following the discussions with the consultants, staff asked SHS Consulting to prepare a bid for this study based on their extensive experience with these types of studies including recent studies completed for Wellington County (Wellington Terrace in the Town of Fergus operated by Wellington County) and Simcoe County (Simcoe Manor in the Town of Beeton operated by Simcoe County), as well as others in Ontario. SHS Consulting also has experience in Grey County as they completed the most recent Housing Study for the County back in 2015.

The project would be structured in two phases.  The first phase of the study would consist of a Market Assessment to determine the need and demand for various seniors housing options in the area. Key Informant interviews and focus groups will be conducted as part of this phase to assess the housing needs for the immediate area in and around the Town of Durham. The phase will also include a literature review which would be reviewed on housing trends and preferences including assisted living, rental housing (market and affordable), garden homes, ‘memory care’ units, and life lease/equity forms of housing. A supply analysis will also be conducted to investigate the housing options that either exist or are proposed for the area, the nature of the accommodation/supports being offered, pricing and affordability, occupancy rates, waiting lists, etc. A final report would be prepared at the end of Phase 1 to present the findings.

Phase 2 of the project would be the preparation of a business plan for the preferred housing options. This would involve an analysis of the key elements of the proposed development, including an assessment of the potential capital and operating costs. This phase would also assess the potential sources of funds, options for governance, a review of similar developments that have been built elsewhere, identify required planning approvals, etc.

Based on the staff review and extensive expertise that SHS Consulting has with projects of this nature, Staff have retained SHS Consulting and they commence work on this project before the end of the month.

 

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