ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH - The Antigonish Affordable Housing Society (AAHS) is in the early stages of starting another development.
Based on its Riverside Estates initiative, this one would focus more on two and three-bedroom offerings, rather than single dwellings.
The proposed 15-unit building would be built on Appleseed Drive in the fringe area of Antigonish on a piece of property the Municipality of the County of Antigonish plans to turn over to AAHS.
Noting it is only the start of the process, AAHS chairwoman Colleen Cameron talked about the prime location of the property, which is near both Saint Andrew Junior School and Antigonish Education Centre.
“It is excellent,” she said, noting its proximity not only to the schools, but also downtown and Post Road businesses.
She added the planned building would also be on the Antigonish Community Transit bus route.
Cameron noted the property is surveyed but doesn’t have markers, while there is a sewer line that runs through it, which will be one of the considerations when construction takes place.
She added the land assessment process continues, while design and other “preliminary work” is underway.
Society officials have made an application to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for seed monies and construction funding. Cameron said the “very preliminary budget” for the Appleseed initiative is $2,912,500.
As part of that process, which carries an application deadline of Dec. 31, the AAHS has to show there is financial support from its benefactors, which include the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and Town of Antigonish.
At a Dec. 2 meeting, town council approved a recommendation to provide AAHS with a letter of support outlining its $100,000 commitment – over a five-year period – for the initiative.
On the following day, county council’s committee of the whole greenlighted the same request, which must be ratified during its regular monthly meeting Dec. 17.
Conditions of approval for both municipalities include AAHS having to raise the required funds to complete the project and a tendering process must take place when it's time for the construction phase.
Noting she could not reveal the identity at this point, Cameron said there is another potential benefactor that has been approached about making the same financial commitment as the municipalities.
When it comes to the possible Appleseed Drive initiative, she said the preliminary plan includes construction of eight two-bedroom and six one-bedroom apartments, with four of the total barrier-free.
“It is working very well,” Cameron said of the Riverside Estates’ model, which includes a community navigator and room, both of which are planned for the upcoming project.
She added Riverside tenants are “thrilled to be there,” noting the community has become a gathering place for meetings, socials and other events.
“There is a wonderful sense of community,” Cameron noted.
AAHS representatives also continue to field calls from across the province regarding the success of Riverside Estates.
“We are sharing advice with them,” Cameron said, noting she made a recent visit to a council meeting of the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
AAHS continues its regular fundraising events, including a curling bonspiel, pool shooting day and dance, which help support its community navigator position.
“At this time we are not planning a major capital fundraising campaign, although we are not ruling out another AVIVA campaign for our community room,” Cameron said in an email.
She added, with the municipal and other funding commitments, AAHS will be able “to secure a very good mortgage from CMHC.”
