Gates calls on province to provide funding for Douglas Heights housing project
October 22, 2024 at 3:53 AM
Wayne Gates is urging the province to pitch in on a project in Fort Erie meant to provide affordable housing for seniors.
The Niagara Falls MPP made a push for an investment for the Douglas Heights seniors residence when the provincial legislature resumed at Queen’s Park on Monday.
The project has been spearheaded by the Fort Erie Lions Club, as well as Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence Inc., an extension of the service club responsible for the property.
The build’s entire estimated cost is about $28 million, and close to $19 million is expected to come in the form of grants and financing, proponents of the project told Fort Erie Radio about a month ago when a $1.5-million fundraising campaign for the development was launched.
In order to receive federal funding, $1.5 million needs to be confirmed through fundraising efforts.
This is where the province can step in, Gates said in a news release that followed Monday’s session at Queen’s Park.
“We know what is possible when every level of government comes together to support a project like this. The province must come to the table to help get this across the finish line,” he said.
Forty-five per cent of Fort Erie’s population is 55 years of age and older, which will grow to 50 per cent by 2041.
In 2022, the Age-Friendly Niagara Survey identified increasing affordable housing options as one of the top five concerns for seniors throughout Fort Erie and the Niagara Region, said Gates’ news release.
“There is nothing more important than ensuring seniors–the people who built our province–have the housing they need and deserve,” said Gates.
The project has already received a number of approvals from the town and region, and has passed the site plan process.
The regional government has waived almost $700,000 in development fees, on top of the town excusing the project of more than $555,000 in development charges, as well as parkland fees of $124,000.
The town is also not billing the proponents $18,000 worth of planning fees.
A Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) seed funding grant of $83,000 has been received, as well as a $200,000 donation from the Branscombe Family Foundation.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is committed to $90,000.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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