Construction is well underway for a new Kindle Communities permanent supportive housing building in the Onward Willow area, as the Home for Good fundraising campaign passes the $1.5 million mark.
To help address homelessness in the community, the campaign is aimed at raising the capital investment required to complete three projects that will collectively contribute 72 supportive housing units in Guelph over the next year.
One of the three, located at 10 Shelldale Cres. is headed by Kindle Communities and Guelph Community Health Centre (GCHC) and is located on lands donated by Skyline Group of Companies and Starlight Investments, behind apartment buildings at 85 and 89 Willow Rd.
This involves the creation of a 32-unit permanent supportive housing project, with 24-hour support services provided by GCHC. All of the residential units, to be bachelor apartments, are to be on the second through fifth floors, with common indoor amenity and office space on the main level.
Daria Allan-Ebron, chief executive officer of Kindle Communities, says the building with 32 400-sq-ft units, and 3,000 sq ft of shared space, will offer residents a variety of supports.
“It is absolutely amazing to be part of this project and to see 10 Shelldale coming to life,” said Allan-Ebron.
“It’s a really special place because we’ve had the support of the private sector, the government, community support. We’re so proud to be part of one of three projects that are being supported by the Home for Good Campaign.”
According to Skyline, the project is coming along with mechanicals, and plumbing being completed. The anticipated occupancy date is the fall of this year.
"As a business, we have a responsibility to support and invest in the cities and towns in which we do business and help find solutions to problems like homelessness," said R. Jason Ashdown, co-founder and chief sustainability officer at Skyline Group of Companies.
"Although Skyline is a national company, our roots are in Guelph, and we have been a part of the community for over 25 years. We want to see it continue to thrive," said Ashdown.
The $5 million campaign will be the final portion of the $24.3 million dollar cost of the projects. The majority of the funds have already been pledged by various levels of government and a land donation valued at $1.7 million from Skyline.
The federal government has contributed $2.6 million to the project through its National Housing Strategy and the province contributed an additional $3 million in funding to the project.
“Everyone deserves safe and secure housing. No matter who you are in the community, you deserve a chance to create a better future for yourself,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield at the groundbreaking event last year.
The campaign is co-lead by the Guelph Community Foundation and United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
The goal is to provide people experiencing chronic homelessness with consistent social and emotional support, called ‘Permanent Supporting Housing' (PSH) that will include programs supporting mental health, wellness, and food security.
Funds raised through the Home for Good campaign will support three PSH projects, including the Kindle Communities at 10 Shelldale Cres., Stepping Stone’s Grace Gardens affordable housing project on Woolwich Street, and the Wyndham House youth supportive housing project on Bellevue Street.
Allan-Ebron says working together with Guelph Community Health Centre and community agencies such as Stonehenge Therapeutic Community will allow residents to access 24-hour supports in the building.
Ashdown says with the current housing crisis, as rental housing providers, Skyline recognizes that it has a responsibility to be a part of the solution to address homelessness.
"Government, communities, service providers, and businesses must work together to find a solution to the housing crisis. We have seen firsthand the real impact that we can have by supporting projects and programs like 10 Shelldale Crescent," he said.
The 10 Shelldale Cr. facility is expected to welcome its first residents later this year.
Eligible tenants will have to be registered with the County of Wellington before they can apply through its housing services.
“This project will provide safe and affordable homes for 32 people along with the supports that are needed to help individuals to live independently and to stay housed,” she said.
“Guelph has this amazing commitment to end homelessness and Shelldale is a part of that shared goal.”
