Committee backs additional $2.7 million for massive affordable housing development in SOHO
London City Council is being asked to increase its contribution to the Vision SoHo Alliance residential development on the former hospital lands on South Street from $11.2-million to $13.9-million.
Last December, city council approved a one-time grant to support 400 affordable units in the development, but a new report to the Community and Protective Services Committee (CAPS) recommends increasing support by an additional $2.7-million.
The increase would boost municipal support from $28,000 per unit to $34,690 per unit.
In a letter dated May 27, 2022, Vision SoHoAlliance made several requests for consideration by city council that would alter the contribution amount based on the calculation of demolition offsets to development charges as well as Heritage Community Improvement Plan (CIP) credits.
The net result, civic administration recommends increasing the municipal contribution by $2.7-million.
The per unit contribution would remain within the parameters established in city hall’s plan to have 3,000 new affordable housing units created in London by 2026.
Vision SoHo Alliance is a non-profit coalition of experienced providers of affordable housing:
- Indwell Community Homes
- Zerin Development Corporation
- Homes Unlimited (London) Inc.
- Chelsea Green Home Society
- London Affordable Housing Foundation
- Italian Seniors’ Project
The Alliance was the successful purchaser of the former Old Victoria Hospital Lands, Phase II on the north side of South Street between Waterloo Street and Colborne Street, including one parcel on the east side of Colborne Street.
The property will be redeveloped into a mix of energy efficient, accessible, and socially inclusive housing within a mixed-income and mixed-use community.
The CAPS Committee will consider the additional funding request at its meeting on July 26.
The Community and Protective Services Committee (CAPS) unanimously supported the request by the Vision SOHO Alliance at its meeting Tuesday evening.
Council will make a final decision Aug. 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Robertson's hat-trick drives Stars to Game 3 win over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.