Elgin Park Redevelopment

Cobourg, ON – November 24, 2023 - On the heels of National Housing Day on November 22nd, Northumberland County, in collaboration with Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC), has proudly unveiled the first phase of the Elgin Park affordable housing redevelopment. Comprising a mix of subsidized and market rent units, the first two of four 10-unit buildings are now ready to welcome residents.

Elgin Park represents a major step forward in the collective commitment of the County and NCHC to tackle the pressing issue of affordable housing in Northumberland. By focusing on intensification of an existing property, this initiative takes the number of subsidized and market rental housing units at this location from 18 to 40.

Distinguished guests from the federal and provincial governments, as well as the County and municipal councils, gathered alongside County staff, tenants, and neighbours to celebrate this historic milestone. The event marked the first new construction of NCHC community housing. The completion of the first phase of the project demonstrates the strength of partnerships and leadership shown by all levels of government. This sets the stage for Phase Two to begin next month, expanding the offering of affordable and attainable housing at this location to a total of four buildings.

With an estimated construction budget of $16 million, the redevelopment has been led by Northumberland County as the primary contributor. The federal and provincial governments have played a pivotal role, contributing $2.4 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), and $5.7 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) – a collaborative effort with the federal and provincial government.

Emphasizing environmental sustainability and accessibility, Elgin Park is actively pursuing LEED certification given its green-building approach and environmentally focused design. Additionally, select units feature specialized accessibility and mobility features.

Construction of the first two buildings began in January 2023 and was completed on schedule and within budget. Phase two of the redevelopment, consisting of two additional buildings, is slated begin next month, with a targeted completion timeline of 2025.

Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, alongside the Honourable David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP for Northumberland–Peterborough South, Bob Crate, Warden of Northumberland County, and Gil Brocanier, Chair of Northumberland County Housing Corporation, announced a combined investment of more than $8M for the Elgin Park Redevelopment in Cobourg.

The Government of Canada is investing $2.4 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), in addition to $5.7 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI), which is cost-shared between both levels of the government.

Owned and operated by Northumberland County Housing Corporation, this investment will allow the intensification of 18 existing semi-detached homes to allow for a series of 4-plex and 6-plex buildings, which will comprise of 40 total units.

With the construction underway for the first phase, the development is on target to create 40 housing units, including both rent-geared-to-income and attainable rental housing with a shared green space.

The development continues to progress on time and on schedule, with first occupancy planned for summer of 2023.

Cobourg, ON – January 19, 2022 – This week, construction activity will begin at the site of the Elgin Park community housing redevelopment project in Cobourg.

Residents may begin to notice fencing and construction trailers at the Elgin Street East site as crews begin construction. During this first phase of work, four two-unit retired buildings will be removed to make space for the development of two ten-unit buildings. Construction activity is expected to increase in the spring as the project shifts focus to building the new units.

The Elgin Park Redevelopment Project will increase the number of subsidized and market rental housing units at this location from 18 to 40 units in total. In addition to 12 market rental units, there will be 28 subsidized units – an increase of ten over the current availability at this site – adding to the Northumberland County Housing Corporation's existing stock of 344 community housing units across Northumberland.

For more information about this project, please visit Northumberland.ca/ElginPark.

For more information about the Northumberland County Housing Corporation, please visit Northumberland.ca/NCHC.

Cobourg, ON – September 29, 2020 – Northumberland County is inviting residents to an upcoming online and telephone Question and Answer session to learn more about the status of the Elgin Park Redevelopment project in Cobourg and to share feedback on the proposed design.

In March 2019, Northumberland County announced plans for the Elgin Park Redevelopment Project: the redevelopment of community housing on Elgin Street East, Cobourg to increase the number of subsidized and market rental housing units at this location from 18 to 40. This project responds to the critical need for additional purpose-built rental housing in Northumberland.

The County is now working with architectural firm Barry Bryan Associates (BBA) on the pre-construction process, including applying to the Town of Cobourg for rezoning. Feedback obtained through the virtual Q&A session will inform the zoning application process.

Design plans include the construction of four new 10-unit buildings, adding to the existing stock of 344 community housing units across Northumberland. In advance of the virtual Q&A session, a presentation on these design plans, along with resources including project timelines and background materials, are available onJoin In Northumberland—the County’s online consultation portal. To access these materials, please visit https://JoinIn.Northumberland.ca.

Join County staff and representatives from BBA for the virtual Q&A session onThursday, October 15, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m.using one of the following methods:

Join online: www.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 843 6253 8456
Passcode: 446106

Join by phone (toll-free):855-703-8985

This session will also be streamed on the County’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CountyNorthumberland.

Cobourg, ON - July 23, 2020 — The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing over $5.7 million to build 28 community housing units in Cobourg, providing homes for individuals and families across Northumberland County. The funding will be delivered through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI).

Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Steve Clark, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, made the announcement today.

The announcement took place at the proposed site for the Elgin Park redevelopment on Elgin Street East in Cobourg. The site currently hosts nine semi-detached buildings, with 18 community housing units. The new complex will have four two-storey buildings with a total of 40 units, creating 22 new homes. The redevelopment will include a shared green space with a playground and recreational area for families, plus a common building with a large programming room, universal washroom, kitchenette and office space for private meetings between tenants and staff and/or community agencies. The COCHI program will fund 28 of the new units, all of which will be affordable, rent-geared-to-income, housing.

Quotes:
“Home is a place of safety and refuge. Our government is dedicated to housing more Canadians which is why we are proud to have invested in this development in Cobourg. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who call them home.” – Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“Supporting the Elgin Park redevelopment project is one way our government is working to make our community housing system more efficient and sustainable, and to ensure that people can access the affordable housing and supports they need today, and in the years to come.” – Steve Clark, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“The Elgin Park redevelopment project is an important part of the solution to help build more homes that are truly affordable in Northumberland, something my community greatly needs and a project I strongly support. I am thrilled to celebrate this new community housing complex that will double the number of homes available for families on Elgin Street and increase the diversity of the overall housing supply in our community.” – David Piccini, MPP Northumberland—Peterborough South

Quick facts:

• The redevelopment will include a mix of multi-bedroom and one-bedroom units to help address the needs of low-income earners and families across Northumberland County, as well as people with accessibility needs. At least 20% of the units will be accessible, and all other ground floor units will be designed to be easily retrofitted into fully accessible units if needed in the future.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)—an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• As part of the Community Housing Renewal Strategy, the Province is investing nearly $1 billion in 2020-21, which will help sustain, repair and grow community housing and help end homelessness in Ontario.
• Ontario has announced $350 million in funding to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep vulnerable people safe. This includes funding to local service managers and Indigenous program administrators who were given the flexibility to expand the key services they already offer to meet their local needs, including supporting people having a hard time paying rent.

Associated links:

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Ontario is committed to increasing housing supply across the province, while getting the best value for taxpayers. Cutting red tape will bring housing to market faster – leading to lower housing costs and helping people keep more of their hard-earned dollars. For more information on affordable housing in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/affordablehousing or follow us on Twitter.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca

Media contacts:

Maya Dura
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
873-354-8265
maya.dura@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Wilbur McLean
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
416-218-3331
wmclean@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Julie O’Driscoll Minister’s Office
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
julie.odriscoll@ontario.ca
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
mma.media@ontario.ca

Cobourg, ON – March 20, 2019 – Northumberland County has finalized an Affordable Housing Strategy that is designed to address challenges in a market of rising housing prices and a vacancy rate of approximately 1 per cent. Actions outlined in the strategy target expansion of the community’s available rental stock as well as increased diversity of the overall housing supply, based on an assessment of local need.

“As the local systems manager for housing and homelessness, ensuring both the availability and the affordability of housing are important priorities for Northumberland County,” states Warden John Logel. “This strategy will equip the County and member municipalities with specific tools and tactics to encourage the development of additional rental and ownership units, and expand the range of affordable housing options for our community.”

The average household income in Northumberland is below the provincial average, making affordability a critical issue, with the need for accessible and supportive housing also identified. The Affordable Housing Strategy outlines targets to address these issues, proposing that the construction of approximately 900 new affordable units by public, private and non-profit providers by the end of 2029 is what is required to meet the level of need. Of these units:

• 65 would be rental units affordable to households with low incomes;
• 18 would be rental units and 7 would be ownership units affordable to households with moderate incomes; and
• 23 would be units with support services and 14 would be accessible units for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, or mental health issues.

Recognizing that the County’s seven member municipalities are the leads for many of the instruments proposed for incentivizing the creation of rental stock—including development charges, property taxes, and permits—Council has directed staff, as a next step, to work with each municipality to understand the feasibility of implementation and to develop individual companion strategies.

Demonstrating a commitment to moving forward with concrete actions, the County also announced today plans for the redevelopment of social housing on Elgin Street East in Cobourg in order to increase the number of Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) and affordable market rental housing units at this location from 18 to 40. The new four– and six-plex buildings will add to the County’s existing complement of 344 social housing units throughout Northumberland. While timelines for this project will depend on factors such as funding from other levels of government, an application has already been submitted to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for Seed Funding to cover the cost of pre-development work such as engineering studies.

“Through the development of the Affordable Housing Strategy as well as other housing and homelessness plans on which we rely, we have worked with the community to better understand the specific housing needs of our residents, and to develop strategic actions to address these needs,” states CAO Jennifer Moore. “The Elgin Park Redevelopment Project responds to a critical need for additional RGI and affordable market rental housing in our community, and we look forward to working with our government and community partners to achieve progress on this important project.”

Created in collaboration with SHS Consulting Inc., the Northumberland County Affordable Housing Strategy was informed by government statistical data and information gathered through recent plans, reports and surveys, as well as consultation with member municipalities, community partners and members of the public. The strategy is available at NorthumberlandCounty.ca/ AffordableHousingStrategy.