Leeward House

Former Sophiasburgh retirement home to be transformed into housing facility for the County’s most vulnerable

A former retirement residence will be transformed into a housing facility for Prince Edward County’s most vulnerable residents.

The County and PEC Community Partners— the principals behind Base31—are partnering to open a nine-room transitional housing facility for those experiencing homelessness locally.

The property, known formerly as The Maples Retirement Residence, is located on County Road 5 in Sophiasburgh, and was purchased by PEC Community Partners with this specific project in mind.

Affordable Housing Supervisor Elis Ziegler told Committee of the Whole last Thursday that the facility would be the first of its kind in the area. “Our intention is to provide a congregate therapeutic and rehabilitative setting for a minimum of three months and potentially beyond 12 months,” said Ziegler, adding that residents will be able to take advantage of onsite staff and local agencies to work on a plan to help find permanent housing in the long term.

The municipality will lease the property at an annual cost of $67,000, which will be paid for from a combination of funding from Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS) and the residents’ occupancy cost.

“We really saw it as an opportunity not to lose a housing asset that could be re-purposed into something else,” said CAO Marcia Wallace. “I really think this is taking the best of several examples and trying to learn from those struggling with housing and homelessness issues in communities where it has been more visible for longer, and really taking some bold action.”

Funding for this project comes from a successful grant application to PELASS for funding from the Provincial Homelessness Prevention Program. The County was granted a three-year funding commitment of $128,085 annually which can be used for rent supplements for people that need to stay in the facility, staffing, onsite case coordination and supplies.

Mayor Steve Ferguson was sure to thank PEC Community Partners. “We are very fortunate to have an organization such as Base31 that has been forward thinking and also appreciation to Elis for recognizing this opportunity with PEC Community Partners in solving what is a growing problem in the municipality,” he said.

Many other municipalities build a shelter to try and help with homelessness, but Wallace added that staff are trying to take a housing-first approach. “What is unique is that the municipality is taking steps. It’s not a not-for-profit taking the initiative like might be in the case of Kate’s Rest. It’s what the municipality is trying to do to contribute to a positive solution,” she said.

The County is also going to start offering housing access and stabilization services that will help local residents find and keep housing. The municipality was successful in securing $72,320 for three years through the Provincial Homelessness Prevention Program for Housing Access and Stabilization Services.

Ziegler explained that real estate prices have dropped by more than half of what they were last year, but that the rental housing market continues to be out of reach for most renters.

A staff member will be hired to help develop a housing registry of all available units, which will paint a clearer picture of the current rental stock. Programs such as tenant education workshops that supports housing security will be offered, and landlord engagement to encourage preservation of existing rental housing will take place.

The County will start a public advertising campaign closer to the launch of the program.