Affordable housing project opens in Village SoHo

A new affordable housing project opened in London’s SoHo neighborhood.

“We worked with five other non-profits and developed this entire block of land,” said Joan Atkinson, chair of the London Affordable Housing Foundation (LAHF).

Located at 385 Hill St., the building features 77 units offering studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

“I wanted to live here because it’s close to work for me and still connected to the downtown which is nice,” said River Ridge resident Devon Macintyre. “It kept me connected while still being reasonably priced.”

Atkinson said this project represents an important step forward for affordable housing in our community.

“Housing is becoming a critical issue for many people as the cost of living went up but wages have not gone up,” said Atkinson.

River Ridge is part of Village SoHo, a partnership by six non-profit housing providers to create almost 700 mixed affordability units on the former hospital lands.

“The need for helping people who are struggling whether they are young, old or middle aged has become more and more evident in the last 50 years,” said Atkinson.

Macintyre agreed, saying rent is a “tricky spot.”

“I always try my best to save and budget,” he said. “This building is very accommodating so that helps.”

LAHF was formed in 2000 and is a non-profit charity that funnels donations directly into local housing projects.

“It’s going to be challenging to keep rent as affordable as possible,” said Atkinson. “That’s a slippery term but we think we can do it.”