Pinecrest Housing

Slow progress for affordable housing at former school

It was close to three years ago that ownership of the vacant Pinecrest School in Bloomfield was turned over to a nonprofit group for conversion of the facility into affordable housing for seniors. In short order the school desks and blackboards were removed and the interior was stripped down to the walls. Plans and architectural drawings were produced showing 50 affordable and market-rate studio and one-bedroom units, plus publically accessible community areas including a commercial kitchen, retail space and a multi-use space in the gymnasium. Each of the classrooms would be converted into two 400 square-foot apartment suites with an outdoor patio. The design would encompass independent living and yet would foster a sense of community in the common areas as a way to combat loneliness. Walking paths and an outdoor garden would help to promote physical activity. Longer term plans were for additional mixed-use housing units on the 20-acre property.

The estimated cost for the initial phase was around $10 million, and up to $15 million if rooftop solar panels and high-efficiency heating and cooling were implemented. This is considerably less than the cost of building from the ground up, and having a space like the existing gymnasium would be cost-prohibitive. There is a developer ready to take on the project, and a builder retained to do the work. Yet the project has barely moved. Thanks to community support, the approximately $7,000 monthly cost to maintain the building as is—property tax, insurance, heat and hydro—is being covered. About 1,500 trees have been planted along a walking track around the perimeter of the property and Tree Canada will be supplying 30 mature trees next spring. However, reconstruction is in limbo until funding from the Canada Housing and Mortgage (CMHC) can be obtained. Project facilitator Ken How has been chasing the dream of affordable housing for seniors in the County for more than 10 years. For the past three years he and his group at Pinecrest Housing have been entreating the CMHC and three levels of government for funding to make this project go ahead. “We’ve been running into a number of difficulties to achieve any huge level of success,” said Mr. How. “If we had the funding today, we would be open in a year and a half. I feel that the powers-that- be are becoming more aware of how difficult it is to create affordable housing, and so their timeline is coming more to our timeline and we’re both on the same page now.”

Phil Spry of Springale Development stands ready to take on the project as soon as funding becomes available. He has worked on affordable housing projects in Belleville, Marmora and Bancroft and the recently completed Great St. James Place in Belleville. His previous developments have been from the ground up, and this is his first project repurposing an existing building.” This is my most exciting project, not only for the housing aspect, but also for the community and the common areas. In my opinion, this is going to be a luxury housing project at affordable prices, with as many amenities as in high-end facilities around here,” he said. With Christmas less than two weeks away, Mr. How made his Christmas wish: “That the three levels of government would realize the validity and the community spirit that wants to address affordable housing, and open their finances to support this project.” For more information, please visit pinecresthousing.org