Staff
With a new six-unit apartment complex proposed to be built on Eighth Street facing some opposition, the manager of native housing for Wahkaihganun Futures Corp. wanted to clear the air on some of the misconceptions he has heard.
In an interview last week, Neil Kabel said the new apartment complex has been approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and funding is in place to go ahead.
All that’s needed now is the go-ahead from the town.
Kabel clarified the existing 10-unit complex, located at 237 Eighth St. W., as well as the six-unit one to be built, are not “rent geared to income.”
Rather, rent is based on an average of market rents for independents throughout Ontario, and Wahkaihganun can charge up to 80 percent of that average.
Wahkaihganun’s houses on York Avenue, however, are subsidized.
Kabel noted that at last Monday night’s council meeting, north-end resident Amy Marchuk expressed concern about the isolated location, which would not benefit tenants who already are at a disadvantage.
While the people Wahkaihganun assist “need help,” conceded Kabel, “underprivileged” isn’t a term he would use.
Marchuk’s concern was sparked after she saw a woman and her three children carrying groceries through the underpass.
But Kabel said the individual in question was, in fact, from the Webster Avenue housing complex.
Kabel also noted that York Avenue resident George Bliss expressed concerns about property standards, but felt these weren’t relevant to the proposed re-zoning before council.
That said, after last Monday’s council meeting, Wahkaihganun rented a 30 cu. ft. bin for all of its units from 1026-1040 York Ave. to dispose of garbage and clean up their yards.
Kabel said Bliss’ sewer back-up issues were legitimate, but added “those are town issues, not housing issues.”
Kabel clarified
Wahkaihganun paid to have sewer and water services extended for the 10-unit complex and the planned six-unit one, and any possible environmental concerns—such as drainage—already were addressed when the first complex was built.
The 10-unit complex was completed Dec. 10. It is now at full accommodation, and there is “a tremendous need” for more such units to help more people, stressed Kabel.
Additionally, it will help expand the tax base of the town.
Town council will vote on a bylaw to amend the re-zoning bylaw at its next meeting (May 27).
If council votes in favour of it, there will be a three-week appeal period.
Pending approval, Kabel said construction will start by late June, with new tenants occupying the six-unit complex as early as late October or November.
