The Working Centre breaks ground on Making Home project in Kitchener
Posted Aug 28, 2023 07:13:06 AM.
Last Updated Aug 30, 2023 09:04:39 AM.
A ground breaking ceremony took place Monday afternoon for a new affordable housing project across the street from the encampment at Victoria and Weber.
The announcement, made at 97 Victoria Street North in Kitchener, is the construction phase of The Working Centre’s Making Home project. The initiative will convert the existing building into 44 new units, expanded community supports, access to employment services and a shared courtyard. There will also be a new building for St. John’s Kitchen.
Joe Mancini, the director of The Working Centre, said the new units will be dorm-style with working washrooms. He said The Working Centre has worked with the Region of Waterloo to create 230 shelter beds since the early days of the pandemic and this development will add to it.
“These are the kinds of numbers we need to keep chipping away at finding enough units so that everyone does have housing,” said Mancini.
The redevelopment is estimated to cost $20 million. Mancini said The Working Centre received $9.8 million in federal funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative. Another $6 million has come from community partners including the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, Perimeter Developments and Auburn Developments.
“it’s really just one piece of the big puzzle,” said Craig Beatty, CEO of Perimeter Developments. “Housing needs to be tackled on so many fronts and the type of supportive housing here is one piece that is going to play a huge role in contributing to that battle.”
The Working Centre and St. John Anglican Church are working on a plan to relocate St. John’s Kitchen for a year while the renovations take place. They have been making meals and providing services, including laundry and showers, for 38 years.
Construction is expected to begin this September and will be completed late next year.
