Guelph planning to build affordable housing on two city-owned properties

Guelph says it’s planning to build affordable housing units on land the city already owns. CTV’s Colton Wiens has the details.

The City of Guelph is planning to build new affordable housing units on city-owned land.

Land at 7 Eastview Road and 5 Normandy Drive have been earmarked for the project.

“It’s exciting because we’re stepping into a space that we’ve never stepped into before in actually looking to leverage underutilized assets,” Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said.

On Tuesday, Committee of the Whole unanimously approved a plan to build a fourplex at 5 Normandy Drive and two fourplex buildings at 7 Eastview Road.

Previously, the land was used to house city infrastructure, such as a well.

“We’re going to actually keep the land, but we’re going to lease the opportunity for the homes to be built,” Guthrie explained. “We’re going to fund it through the Housing Accelerator Fund so that we can find a third party to then operate it for us. But they will be dedicated to those affordable rent prices.”

Wellington County typically manages social services in Guelph. Wellington County Warden Chris White said the county could still end up managing these properties once they’re built and any additional housing in the community is welcomed.

“We don’t have enough of the housing.” White said. “If an individual municipality wants to step up and add to that housing stock and get some people into a home, we’re all for it.”

“Of course we need more. Everybody needs more housing, especially affordable housing. However, getting even just 12 extra units on board is 12 that we didn’t have the day before. So, we should celebrate that,” Guthrie said.

CTV spoke with several neighbours at both properties who did not want to appear on camera. Many were surprised to hear of the plans and didn’t think the city would use those lots for housing. No one CTV spoke with shared opposition to the units. However, the owner of 7 Normandy Drive, which shares a property line with 5 Normandy Drive, said the city told them five years ago that it would never build on that land.

City council still needs to approve the plan and will discuss it at its next meeting on Nov. 25.

Guthrie said residents can provide comments by signing up to be delegates for the council meeting, or by sending emails directly to Guthrie or any other council members.