The Blue Mountains council has decided it will not be teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to develop a local how-to guide for affordable/attainable housing.
At its meeting on Feb. 19, in a tight 4-3 vote, council decided not to partner with Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce on two grant applications to undertake the creation of a concierge program and developers tools for affordable housing project.
The project would have seen the town link up with Habitat to create a program, like a how-to guide, to assist non-profit and private-sector developers of affordable rental and ownership housing, to navigate through site selection, funding, incentives, partnerships, and approvals processes.
Last year council had expressed interest in partnering on the project, however, after hearing from CAO Shawn Everitt that The Blue Mountains was the only local municipality interested in providing funding for the project, council backed off and decided not to participate.
A resolution to move forward with the concept was defeated in a 4-3 vote, with councillors Paula Hope, June Porter and Alex Maxwell supporting the move.
In his report, Everitt told council that other area municipalities, including Grey Highlands, Meaford, West Grey, Georgian Bluffs, Owen Sound, Wasaga Beach, Grey County and Collingwood, had decided not to participate in the program.
“The Blue Mountains would probably be the lone partner on this one,” said Everitt.
Staff said the first phase of the project would have cost $28,250, with the phase two costs pegged at $65,000.
With the lack of uptake from other communities, councillors were reluctant to proceed.
“I’m not convinced this may be the right path. We’d be on our own,” said Deputy Mayor Peter Bordignon.
Coun. Shawn McKinlay said he was having trouble determining how much value would come out of funding phase one.
“We shouldn’t be the first to the trough if it’s not going to be that appetizing to others around us,” he said.
Hope expressed disappointment that council would reject the opportunity.
“If there is any organization that has a handle on affordable/attainable housing - it’s Habitat for Humanity. They have a bulletproof program,” she said. “I don’t think we’re crazy innovators if we go with Habitat for Humanity, they’ve been around a long time.”
Porter said the rejection of the concept would send the wrong message to the community.
“This request has been kicking around for a number of months. This can give the impression that we’re really not doing anything,” she said.
Bordignon pointed out that the decision on this particular program did not prevent the town or the development community from partnering with Habitat for Humanity.
“They’re not mutually exclusive. There is nothing stopping any developer or the town on its own from working with Habitat for Humanity,” he said.
While council passed a resolution to deny funding for the concierge application, it subsequently unanimously approved a resolution directing staff to continuing working with Habitat for Humanity and other non-profits on the affordable/attainable housing issue.
