Affordable housing project on Shantz Hill greenlit by Cambridge Council

More affordable housing for families in Cambridge is on the way.

Cambridge city councillors unanimously approved a zoning bylaw change Tuesday night to allow the construction of 24 stacked townhouses on 325 Shantz Hill Road, just north of Fountain Street South.

Habitat for Humanity is behind the project which will primarily include three-bedrooms units. A handful of two-bedroom and four-bedroom units will also be included.

Ward 3 Coun. Corey Kimpson spoke on the motion, noting this would have been something very important to the recently passed Donna Reid as well, as it is in her ward, Ward 1.

She notes, “She would not want any further delay to affordable housing in Cambridge.”

Kimpson also touted the project saying it had her full support,

“Like many others, our community is in a housing crisis. This project on Shantz Hill Road in Ward 1 was one of the first that this council reviewed this term. The project is going to provide housing for 24 families in this community, and these homes are going to be built using existing services…They are located near parks, schools, transit and within walking distance of the Preston core area.”

Ward 7 Coun. Scott Hamilton also gave the project a thumbs up.

“I’m really excited for this proposal. This is a key juncture of the city, and to have affordable housing that is family-oriented and to have a variety of units .. we need more affordable housing developments like this not less, and the fact that it is mortgage geared to income, it’s fantastic to hear.”

The zoning change was required, as the location comes with some challenges, such as environmental impacts, the need for a retaining wall, and the fact that it is a sloped area, right on the hill at Shantz Hill.

The original by-law allowed for single detached properties, rather than the stacked townhouses that are now planned for the area.

The full project details can be found here.