This site was selected because it is a publicly owned, serviced, accessible, appropriately sized property which is connected to community amenities. Additionally, the redevelopment is aligned with Township Council direction and Lennox and Addington County housing priorities. Redeveloping a portion of the property for affordable housing allows the Township to responsibly address housing needs while maintaining planning flexibility, replacing parkland strategically, and maximizing overall benefit to the community.

The re-zoning and draft plan process will identify preliminary concepts of what the affordable housing developments could look like based on work from Habitat for Humanity and the County. On the west-side of the property, by Abbey Dawn Drive, the development is proposed as low-rise residential, such as townhomes. Other forms of housing and ground-level commercial outlets are proposed towards the east side of the property by Church Street. This latter stage of development will become clearer once the market-based Expression of Interest process for the market sale area is completed.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation states that housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30% of a household’s before-tax income. Many people think the term “affordable housing” refers only to rental housing that is subsidized by the government. In reality, it’s a very broad term that can include housing provided by the private, public and non-profit sectors. It also includes all forms of housing tenure: rental, ownership and co-operative ownership, as well as temporary and permanent housing.

Affordable rental housing usually means that a person pays 80% of the average market rent. For example, if market rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,300/month, then a person living in the affordable rental unit would pay $1,040 a month in rent and have to have the income to support that. Tenants of affordable housing would need to have an income low enough to qualify for affordable housing but have to have enough income to be able to pay their rent.

The housing development on this site is intended to serve a range of residents such as:

• Low- to moderate-income households

• Individuals and families, including those with children

• Seniors seeking stable, accessible, and affordable housing options

• Persons with disabilities who require appropriate and affordable housing.

Residents must qualify to live in both the County-operated rental housing and Habitat for Humanity’s affordable home ownership development. This may include:

• Demonstrate a need for subsidized housing (i.e., unable to afford suitable housing in the private market).

• Being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have legal status in Canada.

• Have at least one household member 16 years of age or older and able to live independently.

• Be in good standing with previous housing providers (no outstanding arrears, or a repayment plan in place).

• Meet local occupancy standards based on household size and composition.

The County-owned/operated housing property will be maintained by utilizing the County’s internal Property Service Department. The department consists of a Manager, Supervisor, Project Tech, Administrator, and a team of Maintenance Workers.  We will use a combination of internal resources and external contractors to preform preventative maintenance, regular inspections, and prompt repairs. The building will be maintained to meet or exceed the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code, Property Standards Bylaws, Residential Tenancies Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The Township intends to issue an Expression of Interest on its procurement platform this spring to gather information about potential uses for this land from interested parties. Once the re-zoning is complete, the Township will formally consider bids/proposals from interested parties to formalize the land sale and final land use.

The Township will ensure there is no net loss of parkland by replacing it with a more functional and expandable park space within the community of Bath elsewhere.

The Township will be consulting with the Limestone District School Board with respect to how the development will affect Bath Public School. Some of the development will be scheduled for the summer break to minimize interruptions. There will also be some form of pathway or sidewalk connecting the existing residential area to the school and a new sidewalk planned along Church Street connecting to Main Street and Loyalist Boulevard.

The Township understands that residents in the Loyalist Estates subdivision are concerned about additional traffic on Abbey Dawn Drive due to the existing right-of-way connection to this property. A legal entrance off Church Street exists and will be used to help direct incoming traffic away from the existing residential streets.

The Township will ensure all statutory public and stakeholder consultations occur as part of the rezoning and development of this property and that the Township’s Public Engagement Framework is followed. This will include two public open houses, consultations with a wide variety of agencies (e.g. utilities, conservation authority, school board) and Indigenous Communities as well as opportunities for the public to provide feedback through the Township’s engagement website.

This project benefits the wider community by increasing the supply of much‑needed affordable housing while making efficient use of existing Township‑owned, fully serviced land. It supports local workers, seniors, and families by improving housing choice and stability, which helps reduce pressure on the broader housing market and strengthens the local economy. The site’s proximity to schools, parks, active transportation routes, and Church Street encourages a walkable, connected neighbourhood and healthy lifestyles. Incorporating potential commercial uses through a mixed‑use development can further enhance community benefits by providing local services, amenities, and employment opportunities, reducing the need for residents to travel outside the area for daily needs.

This is a common misperception and there is no evidence linking the construction of affordable housing to lower neighbourhood property values. In fact, the construction of new housing often increases a neighbourhoods property values and years after the affordable housing is constructed, residents and visitors will likely no longer identify that part of the neighbourhood as “affordable housing”.