Posted on: January 2nd, 2024. Posted by: Simon Martine yorkregion.com, Original Article.
14-unit, 3-storey stacked townhouses being planned for Kevin’s Place property
Blue Door is stepping up to address the rising need for affordable housing in York Region.
Together with EllisDon Community Builders, Blue Door is redeveloping a 100-year-old home on an underutilized property in Newmarket to create a 14-unit three-story stacked townhouse.
Set to begin construction in the summer of 2024, Blue Door and EllisDon Community Builders are currently seeking design-builders interested in doing social good and expanding into affordable housing, with expressions of interest due by Jan. 12.
“It’s exciting to work with Blue Door as their development manager partner. They have a wealth of experience and devise creative housing, health and employment strategies to tackle homelessness,” Nick Gefucia, Vice President of EllisDon Community Builders said. “We are looking for similarly committed design-builders who want to work with EllisDon Community Builders to support Blue Door’s vision. The company we select will make a significant contribution to the Newmarket community and distinguish itself among York Region’s quality home builders.”
The redevelopment of Blue Door’s Newmarket property, called Kevin’s Place, will model how to rethink land use and create urgently needed affordable housing strategically.
Canada is currently experiencing an affordable housing crisis, with people from all backgrounds and circumstances struggling to find safe and suitable accommodations. In York Region alone, on any given night, over 300 individuals experience homelessness, 20 per cent of whom are families.
“Providing safe and affordable housing for those most in need is becoming more and more challenging and the need is, unfortunately, growing,” said Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. “All levels of government and the not-for-profit community must embrace every opportunity to build and provide more housing options, whenever and wherever we can. Newmarket has always believed in housing options for everyone and we will always be there to support others in their quest to address the housing crisis.”
“With compounding factors attributing to long-term and ongoing homelessness, people in our community need a more sustainable option for housing — and they need it now.”
“The affordable housing crisis is a complex challenge and demands immediate, and collaborative solutions,” Michael Braithwaite, CEO of Blue Door said. “With the announcement earlier this year of a $4 billion investment in affordable housing from the Government of Canada, we urge community leaders, non-profit organizations, and developers to get involved in projects and initiatives, such as the Kevin’s Place redevelopment, to make housing more accessible and affordable to all Canadians.”
Currently on the property owned by Blue Door sits a 100-year-old house on a large piece of land. Blue Door is seeking to have this underutilized 100-year-old property redeveloped into a 14-unit stacked townhouse building, with associated parking and walkway areas.
Providing accessible and affordable housing, the redevelopment will help to reduce homelessness by supporting and enabling individuals and families to successfully transition into more permanent housing options. Occupants could be families, seniors or youth who can live independently, many of whom are employed, yet still can’t afford market rent.
As part of the redevelopment, the design-builder will assist in the site plan application process while leading the design phases, building permit application, construction and closeout, as well as occupancy permit application. It is expected the work will commence in early 2024.
Design-builders interested in building their affordable housing portfolio, being part of the housing solution, and working with two community leaders, Blue Door and EllisDon Community Builders, are encouraged to visit Merx.com and submit an expression of interest.
To learn more about Kevin’s Place and Blue Door’s vision, visit www.BlueDoor.ca