Housing corporation debuts new student units in Simcoe

Christmas has come early for seven Fanshawe College students in Simcoe.

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The Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation hosted the grand opening Tuesday of its new affordable student housing initiative at a pair of units close to the Ireland Road campus.

The corporation – with the support of the college and Norfolk County Council – converted two legacy social housing units at 77/79 Oakwood Avenue in Simcoe into housing for up to seven students of Fanshawe College.

HNHC CEO Matt Bowen said the project represents a “transformative shift” in how the group delivers housing services

“We put together a real robust regeneration strategy and asset management plan with the support of Norfolk County and today you’re seeing one of those projects,” he added.

Leading up to the renovation, Fanshawe College sent a professor and students to provide their feedback on the design, environmental features and accessibility options. Each unit has three bedrooms – two singles and one double – a dining room, laundry room and study space downstairs.

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Students are slated to move in around Jan. 15. At one point, the building was at risk of being demolished.

Instead, the units now offer a bright, clean place to live with energy-efficient appliances, lighting and better accessibility.

Student housing has long been a challenge for the Simcoe campus as it operates without dedicated dorm space. That means partnering with groups like the HNHC and Norfolk County for solutions, said Donna Gates, associate dean at the Simcoe facility.

“Our main priority is always meeting student needs and meeting their housing needs is done in a variety of creative ways across the community,” Gates said.

“For all of us, creative ideas and partnerships are the way forward and that’s the way small communities can make the most out of everything we do.”

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The project means positive things for others locally, noted HNHC President Jeff Miller. He told a crowd gathered at the building that funding from student rent would allow the group to look at regenerating other sites within the region.

Mayor Amy Martin praised Fanshawe College for its work and the positive spinoffs Norfolk County receives from the school. She hopes these types of projects will become commonplace in the future.

“It’s an amazing pillar in Norfolk and over the years I think we could’ve done a lot more to support them,” she said. “We’ll start with seven (students) and we’ll see where that takes us in the future. I hope it’s the beginning of great things.”

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