Perth-Wellington MPP announces funding for Stratford’s Britannia Street Affordable Housing project

The provincial and federal governments are kicking in more than $4 million for the City of Stratford’s Britannia Street Affordable Housing project, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced Friday.

During a press conference at the affordable housing complex, Rae said the federal and provincial governments are investing more than $3 million through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative for 33 of the housing project’s overall 62 affordable apartments. At the same time, Rae said the Ontario Government is also providing $1 million through the province’s Social Services Relief Fund toward six affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments.

“This one is obviously special to me,” said Rae, who also serves as parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing. “As the local MPP, I get to see how our governments’ work to build homes is put into action right here in my own community. … Since 2019, we’ve already had the chance to see the positive impact the first phase of this project has had with 35 units including two that are fully accessible.

“Thanks to the incredible work being done by the folks at the City of Stratford and, in particular, the housing division of the social services department, you will soon see another 27 come on line including six that are fully accessible.”

Completed at a cost of roughly $4.5 million, the first phase of the project involved the construction of a 35-unit apartment building at 230 Britannia St. The building includes amenities including laundry facilities, air conditioning, on-site vehicle and bike parking, scooter storage and a barrier-free design.

Expected to cost a little more than $9.7 million, completion of the second-phase 27-unit Britannia Street apartment building has been delayed as a result of material shortages. Originally thought to be ready for resident move-in by June, Stratford social services director Kim McElroy told the Beacon Herald she hopes renters can start moving in by the end of next month.

In total, Stratford manager of housing Jeff Wilson told the Beacon Herald the city government received funding for 26 of the 35 units in the phase-one building and 14 of the 27 units in the phase-two building.

“If we elevate those who need our support the most, we elevate our community,” Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma said Friday. “The structures behind me and to my right are an example of us collaborating and working together municipally, provincially and federally. Thank you for that collaboration, that partnership. So much more can be done if we work collaboratively. I certainly look forward to many more of these being built in our city.”

McElroy noted the growing housing crisis in Ontario and across the country isn’t an issue that can be tackled in isolation.

“It’s something that requires collaboration from multiple levels of government and multiple community partners,” McElroy said. “Those successful partnerships helped to lay the foundation for the Britannia Street Affordable Housing project. …Without the financial assistance and the guidance of the federal and provincial governments, these builds could not have been possible.”

Calculated at 80 per cent of average market rent, the cost of rent at both Britannia Street buildings is $1,002, plus hydro monthly, for a one-bedroom unit and $1,190, plus hydro monthly, for a two-bedroom unit.

While the city began accepting applications from prospective renters for the phase-two units earlier this year, the city is no longer accepting applications as a result of “significant interest and a large number of applicants,” the city’s website states. There are also currently no vacancies in the phase-one apartment building.

For more information about the Britannia Street Affordable Housing project, visit www.stratford.ca/en/live-here/britannia-street-project.aspx#Phase-2-200-Britannia-Street.

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