Three Region of Waterloo surplus properties will become affordable homes through Region’s first lottery draw
Waterloo Region – Three Region of Waterloo surplus properties will become affordable homes in the coming year. Two of the properties, 32 and 34 Mill Street in Kitchener will go to the KW Urban Native Wigwam Project, and 24 Mill Street will go to MennoHomes. The properties went into a lottery aimed at creating more affordable housing.
“We have a waiting list of over 200 families and the demand is only increasing,” said Lee Ann Hundt, Housing Administrator, KW Urban Native Wigwam Project. “This is a little bit of hope for the Indigenous community and will be an amazing home for someone very soon. This is wonderful news that will hopefully be the start of many great opportunities for KW Urban Native Wigwam Project, moving into 2021.”
In addition to these two properties, MennoHomes will be renovating 24 Mill Street. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to restore some family housing in downtown Kitchener,” said Dan Driedger, Executive Director at MennoHomes. “MennoHomes is always looking for creative partnerships. This renovation will allow us to work with Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers to provide some much needed family housing in downtown Kitchener. It was a unique opportunity that we are very excited about.”
This is the first time the Region held a lottery for surplus properties rather than selling them.
“As service system manager, the Region of Waterloo is taking advantage of every opportunity we have to generate affordable housing,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Donating surplus lands is part of our 10 year housing and homelessness plan and going forward it will be an investment strategy that can generate hundreds of affordable homes each year.”
The Region will ensure the Mill Street properties are used for affordable housing for at least 25 years.
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For media information, please contact:
TJ Flynn, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Region of Waterloo
tflynn@regionofwaterloo.ca