New affordable units in Milton ‘will be key to a better life’

A new five-storey apartment development at 154 Bronte St. is due for completion next year.

Thespec.com
May 29, 2019
Bambang Sadewo

It's a small but valuable contribution to tackle the problem of affordable housing in Milton.

That's how Lori-Anne Gagne, executive director of Victoria Park Community Homes (VPCH), describes the new five-storey apartment development at 154 Bronte St. due for completion next year.

"We are so delighted and very excited," Gagne told the Milton Champion of getting the project off the ground, noting that it has been quite a few years since they have added new housing stock due to soaring land and construction costs.

The project, which has been in the works since 2015, will be at the front of an existing VPCH property -- the Rotary Square. It will feature 24 one-bedroom units, something that's lacking on-site.

Out of the 24 units, 15 will be part of the rental subsidy agreement with the Halton region -- with six units dedicated for individuals on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and nine units for low-income households that are on the wait-list of the region's subsidized housing program.

"It will be a real addition to the area and the community," she said, pointing out that the project will have a universal design to help residents with mobility issues -- including wider halls, common space and doorways for all units, braille signage, and more.

Coun. Colin Best said the project "brings people into the community" and provides affordable housing for young families, as well as seniors, right on the transit routes and close to downtown.

"I've seen the plans for it, it's quite a nice development," he said.

Best said there are a number of medium- and high-density housing projects that are at various stages of development in town: nine projects are currently under construction, which are expected to bring more than 1,300 units to the market; while four approved applications should provide 1,138 units.

"There's a lot of activity happening in Milton," the councillor said.
The total construction cost for the rental apartment at Bronte St. is around $8.6 million, with major funding coming from federal and municipal governments.

Ottawa is committed to provide more than $3.88 million to fund the housing project.

"Through the National Housing Strategy, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Milton and in all corners of the country," said Adam Vaughan, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs), who came to the site last week to announce the financial commitment.

"It will be more than just a safe and affordable place to live, it will be key to a better life for the residents who will soon call it home," Vaughan added in the release.

The executive director of VPCH, a private non-profit housing corporation that has been building family homes in southern Ontario since 1974, said the 24 new units might be a small bucket compared to the demand -- but they have to make baby steps toward progress.

"If everybody is trying to do a little bit, we can accomplish greater things," Gagne said.