County plans to sell public housing to finance new projects

A shake-up may be underway in the structure of social housing in Guelph and Wellington County…or rather, in the structures of social housing.

Among 47 “recommended activities” in a report presented Wednesday to the county’s Joint Social Services Committee is the creation of a business case for the sale of the county’s detached and semi-detached homes, with the proceeds going toward new construction and “densification” options. .

“These homes represent important community infrastructure and a critical element in our ability to provide safe and affordable housing options to low-income households,” reads the A Place to Call Home annual report for 2023.

The creation of this business case is identified in the report as “ongoing and on track.”

None of the recommended activities have been approved by the committee, which includes a mix of city council and county council members. The report was simply received for information.

Last year, the county spent more than $8.7 million on upkeep and maintenance of county-owned, subsidized and government-funded housing stock, the report notes. Another $13 million was spent on maintaining subsidized housing owned by public donors.

In total, more than $30 million was spent on social housing last year, including operational expenses, 4.6% less than in 2022.

“This slight decrease is mainly due to the delay of projects and their transfer to the 2024 budget,” notes the report.

Last year, the county, which also offers public housing programs on behalf of the city, provided monthly rental assistance to 3,907 low-income households, 4.4% more than in 2022. Among 104 of them benefited from comprehensive support as part of the transition. or permanent supportive housing.

Other recommended activities include:

• Adoption and implementation of an eviction prevention strategy aimed at preventing people at imminent risk of eviction from becoming homeless
• In partnership with Wellington-Guelph Women In Crisis, explore the feasibility of establishing a second stage housing program for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
• Explore the feasibility of a street awareness program
• Collaborate with the Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board to introduce homelessness curriculum in schools.

Of the 47 recommendations, 22 involve continuing existing efforts, such as seeking additional funding from higher levels of government, monitoring best practices, and modernizing housing policies/practices.