A federal grant could make the construction of the new Bradford House a reality a lot sooner than expected.
Bradford West Gwillimbury council threw its support behind Leap of Faith Together (LOFT) Community Services during the March 7 meeting, as the community organization looks to secure a grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI).
Support the project means the town is taking a “giant leap forward” when it comes to its affordable housing goals, Heather McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of LOFT Community Services, told councillors.
“You’re doing that by supporting a non-profit whose absolute goal and our mission critical is to provide deeply affordable housing,” she said. “By owning that building, we will guarantee that housing remains affordable in the long term.”
McDonald gave a deputation to council formally requesting the partnership and provided an update on what’s been done since she last spoke to councillors nearly a year and a half ago.
Bradford House currently stands at 136 Barrie St. The structure on that property is more than 100 years old, and at times has served as a convalescent home for veterans returning from combat. LOFT has been operating Bradford House there for the past 10 years.
The building has long outlived its usefulness as a home for seniors and those in need. LOFT first came before council seeking a new solution in 2020, and by Nov. 2021, they had found suitable land in the downtown core, a .35-hectare site, just 220 metres from the current location of Bradford House.
At that time, council agreed to donate the land at 31 Frederick St, the current home of St. Mary’s Hall. The tenants housed in St. Mary’s will be given the chance to move to the Bradford Community Hub in the former Bradford Public School, at which time St. Mary’s would be demolished and replaced by a five- or six-storey development that will house up to 100 self-contained units, adding capacity for 54 more residents than the current facility at 136 Barrie St.
Grant or no grant, LOFT will be building a new facility, McDonald told councillors.
“Although we would love this rapid housing initiative funding, this project is happening,” she said. “We’re committed. We’re committed to our residents who are currently in our housing that need appropriate housing, to our staff, who live in Bradford, who deserve a really positive work environment and the people and unmet need in Bradford that we hope to reach.”
The CMHC has made $1.5 billion available through the RHI for projects such as the New Bradford House. Applications are graded on a points system to determine if they qualify for the funds. McDonald explained the $15 million that LOFT is willing to commit to the project off the top will give it “top marks” with the decision-makers.
Initially, LOFT had planned to fund the construction of the new Bradford House through the proceeds generated by selling the property at 136 Barrie St. and fundraising for the difference. A successful RHI grant would mean the organization wouldn’t have to carry a mortgage on the building at 31 Frederick St. McDonald called this “significant,” because it means that new affordable housing opportunities could open up on the Barrie Street property.
That said, she stressed it is long passed its best-before date.
“I believe that building needs to be demolished and there are some wonderful things I think we could do on that site,” McDonald said.
If successful, the RHI money would flow through the town, giving it an extra layer of oversight on the construction at 31 Frederick St. The site planning process for the development remains ongoing.
The grant would have a stipulation that the project must be complete within 18 months after signing an agreement with CMHC, which McDonald said the various planners involved are confident will be met.
A decision is expected by the end of June. A community meeting on the new building is set for April 11.
