‘Significant’ mixed-use development gets green light from Simcoe County
The County of Simcoe Council has approved plans to move forward with construction of a significant mixed-use development at the former Orillia District Collegiate Vocational Institute site.
The County Orillia Campus development will be a multi-generational, mixed-use hub that contains affordable housing, community services and county services.
“The need for more affordable housing in Orillia was identified as a key priority during council's recent strategic planning consultation,” said Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. “Orillia's strong partnership with the County of Simcoe and other levels of government is extremely important in addressing important social and economic issues including low household income, affordable housing, and children and community support systems in our community.”
The campus will include approximately 130 affordable mixed units for seniors, families and individuals. Approximately 46 of those units will be multi-bedroom units targeted to families; the balance of the units are one-bedroom and studio units—all of which follow universal design for aging in place. Rent maximums will be set at an average across the development of no more than 80 percent of average market rent.
As a result, the county expects to achieve a significant portion of the affordable-housing targets for the City of Orillia, as well as the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn. Alleviating the demand for affordable housing has been identified as a key priority for the county in its 10-year housing strategy. The strategy's goal is to achieve 2,685 affordable housing units by 2024. As of December 31, 2019, a total of approximately 1,900 affordable housing units have been created county-wide.
At 216,000 square feet, the proposed building will also include 60,000 square feet of commercial and office space. Social services on site will include Ontario Works, children and community services and social housing, as well as facilities for such organizations as Victorian Order of Nurses, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and a licensed child care centre.
The county expects the project to cost $79 million. It anticipates receiving funding not only from municipalities, but also from the federal and provincial governments, and expects to start construction in the late spring or early summer of 2021.
“We know there is need for greater access to affordable housing and social and community services in Orillia and the surrounding area, with our waitlist for housing having reached well over two years,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell. “The County Orillia Campus development will increase the region’s affordable housing stock and put a roof over the heads of more residents in need, while providing greater access to community services that assist seniors, families and individuals in one location.”