City approves partnership with Habitat for Humanity for Geneva St. affordable housing project
Councillors in St. Catharines approved a staff recommendation to allow the buyer of an affordable housing development to partner with Habitat for Humanity Niagara.
In November 2021, council gave the green light for the sale of about 3.8 acres at 320 Geneva St., previously occupied by the city’s Community, Recreation and Culture Services administration building. The sale was approved provided it is used in part for affordable and social housing.
The city will sell the land for $1.35 million to Penn Terra Group Ltd. (PTGL), based on the proposal to develop the area with 43 per cent affordable housing, 14 per cent social housing and 43 per cent market rate housing.
“We’re one of the most aggressive councils in the region when it comes to affordable and social housing,” St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik said in an interview on Morning Live Thursday.
“We’re taking an aggressive approach on how we can work with our development community and the not-for-profit community to address a housing crisis that’s happening across the province.”
PTGL has proposed the construction of one, nine-storey building with 180 rental units and one, four-storey building with 32, two-bedroom townhomes. On top of this, roughly 19,000 square feet of commercial space could be developed on the site, alongside three community gardens.
On Monday, city council approved an amendment to the sale agreement, allowing PTGL to work with Habitat for Humanity Niagara, to ensure the 32 townhomes are sold at an affordable price.
Habitat will then sell the townhomes at the same price as purchased to deserving families who may not otherwise be able to afford a home. Habitat will sell the homes through an equity share program, meaning any profits generated off future sales of the townhomes will be split between the selling family and Habitat.
“This is an exciting opportunity that will make an impact on the affordable housing crisis in Niagara and allow families to achieve greater stability,” Habitat Niagara CEO Mark Carl said in a statement.
The partnership with Habitat on the 32 townhomes comes alongside requirements that 60 of the rental units be rented at affordable rates for the next 40 years.
