United Way affordable housing project nearing completion

The last bit of work that will complete United Housing's new build in Listowel goes out for tender shortly. CTV London's Scott Miller reports.

In eight to 12 months, the first affordable housing project undertaken by United Housing, should be ready for tenants in downtown Listowel.

“Any day now, it’ll be going out to tender for the rest of the work,” said United Housing Executive Director, Kathy Vassilakos.

To deal with a growing housing crisis in Huron-Perth, the local United Way bought a historic building in Listowel, with plans to construct a social agency centre on the main floor, and 10 apartments, with two thirds of them below or well below market rent, on the second floor.

With a price tag of roughly $3 million, United Housing received $1.8 million in government grants and loans, but needed to raise the rest in the community.

A $735,000 community bond campaign reached it’s goal earlier this year, and a $705,000 capital campaign reached its target, a full year ahead of schedule.

“This community, they came out quickly, and they came out hard. So, we are now able to move ahead with phase two of this project, which is to complete the 10 units upstairs,” says Vassilakos.

North Perth Coun. Doug Johnston, put the capital campaign over the top, with his family’s $3,000 donation.

“They don’t have to worry about mold and safety and all that kind of stuff, and right downtown, where they’re close to everything. So to me, it was a no brainer,” said Johnston.

The ‘Music Hall’ apartments, as they’re known, are just the first step in a much larger plan by United Housing, to bring up to 40 more affordable housing units to Listowel with an ambitious project, including a permanent social services hub and library.

“The library project for a community of this size is a massive undertaking. But it’s one that, we believe in. We believe that we can make use of public lands and have partnerships with both the public, private, and not for profit sectors,” said North Perth Mayor, Todd Kasenberg.

With more than 300 unhoused people in Huron-Perth, and a whopping 62 per cent of residents who can’t afford the benchmark price for a single-family home in the region, affordable housing models like the ones coming from United Housing, with projects currently under development in Listowel, Stratford, and Exeter, are incredibly important, said Kasenberg.

“We’re creating, crafting a new model around housing, where not-for-profits can make the difference. They’re introducing novel forms like the community bond, to change the shape, and the scope of these kinds of issues,” added Kasenberg.

United Housing aims to have 100 affordable housing units under its management by 2030.

“We have projects in Stratford, and Huron County that are in early pre-development, so we have lots going on. But this project, this building here, anchors us as the first thing that we took on. It’s special,” saidVassilakos.

Listowel’s Music Hall apartments should be ready for tenants in early 2027.