A lengthy wait for affordable housing in Lambton County has just gotten a little shorter. “Access to safe, affordable housing is fundamental to individual well being and strong communities. That is why county council has made affordable housing its top priority,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. He was joined by Sarnia and senior government representatives to open doors at the county’s newest affordable housing project. The new building at 471 Kathleen Ave. in Sarnia includes 50 deeply supportive housing units, 14 of which are barrier free and will be operated by the March of Dimes, according to Lambton Manager of Housing Services Melisa Johnson. “March of Dimes will have an office on site, so they will provide 24/7 support. And then the remaining units will be supported by a team of community support workers from the social services department,” she explained. The $30-million project was funded by the city and county, along with senior governments. Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu says more help is on the way, referencing last week’s federal budget announcement on homelessness in her remarks. “I was also very encouraged the government putting forward a plan to end homelessness within ten years. And so, these are the kinds of things that we do to support one another and to build together,” said Gladu. According to Lambton County Housing Services more than 1,100 households remain on the county’s housing waitlist. The wait to get into a new home is typically about four years. In some of his last public remarks as mayor, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley urged the next county council to continue offering housing that includes wrap-around supports. “Look at the March of Dimes, that’s supportive housing. Look at Community Living, that’s supportive housing. If you’re going to put someone into a new unit and give them a shot at a better life, then get them the supports they need to meet some of the challenges they have in their life. Because in the end, no-one wins unless everyone gets the win,” Bradley said. The building has been named The Orchard, and its first tenants start moving in this Thursday.
