Indwell breaks ground on newest project in St. Thomas

CTV’s Bryan Bicknell with the groundbreaking for a housing project in St. Thomas at the former Balaclava Street Public School.

Known for supportive housing projects throughout southwestern Ontario, Christian housing charity Indwell has broken ground on its latest project.

It’s breathing new life into an old building in St. Thomas, giving future tenants a second chance.

“You know what the cure to lack of housing is? Housing,” quipped St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston.

He was on hand for the groundbreaking of Balaclava Crossing, a 78-unit supportive housing project at the former Balaclava Street Public School heritage property.

The project will have 36 units with enhanced supports inside the renovated heritage school building. While a new expansion at the back will have 42 units with standard supports.

“That includes health care supports, nursing supports, housing supports, addiction supports if that’s necessary, and to make sure that those people have those wraparound health care supports to be successful, and a brighter future,” said Jeff Neven, Indwell CEO.

Balaclava Crossing adds to Indwell’s existing 60 supportive housing units in Elgin County.

“I have heard about your visioning of lofty goals, your coordination of unlikely partners, the high regard that you hold for all members of your community, your ambitious drive to solve homelessness,” said Indwell Regional Director, Southwest Lynette Lewis.

Preston says the project ties-in with the city’s goal of achieving net-zero homelessness.

“We see an end, sometime in early 2027, when we will be able to say we hit net-zero. Does that mean? No. It does not mean we’re done. It means we have to continue to look at homelessness prevention, and making sure no-one else is falling back into that,” said Preston.

The $31 million project is being funded by all three levels of government, along with community fundraising.

It’s set to open in 2027.