A private group is proposing the development of 135 units of supportive housing in downtown Sudbury, with the aim of addressing homelessness in the community. Ward 5 Coun. Mike Parent and Ward 4 Coun. Pauline Fortin are spearheading this initiative, which has been in the works for several years. The group of private investors seeks municipal support to convert the nine-storey building at 30 Ste. Anne Rd. into affordable housing.
Coun. Parent expresses enthusiasm about the building's potential to significantly reduce local homelessness, stating that it's like finding a "unicorn." He has been working with the group for the past two years alongside Coun. Fortin to bring this project to fruition. Coun. Fortin shares his excitement, emphasizing the project's potential to be a "game-changer."
In a municipal report, city senior planner Ed Landry recommends that the city council approve $1,526,720 in municipal support through Community Improvement Plan incentives to kickstart the $5.6-million renovation project. This funding will not impact the tax levy, as it will be covered by a portion of the $16-million federal Housing Accelerator Fund received by the city last year, specifically earmarked for affordable housing incentives.
The remaining $440,000 will be secured through a tax-increment equivalent grant spread over 10 years. This grant will rebate the difference between pre- and post-development taxes to the property owner. The annual tax levy is estimated to increase from approximately $80,000 to $135,000 post-renovation, resulting in a $55,000 difference. If approved, 100% of this difference will be rebated during years one through six, and 50% during years seven through 10.
Mandy Branham, representing a small group of Northern Ontario investors, explains that they considered various options for the building before settling on supportive housing. She highlights the ease of transitioning the building into geared-to-income supportive housing units subsidized by the province. The project at 30 Ste. Anne Rd. gained momentum when the city released its Roadmap to End Homelessness by 2030 in May 2024, emphasizing the need for supportive and deeply affordable housing.
The investors connected with Coun. Parent, who introduced the motion leading to the roadmap. This collaboration resulted in the current project proposal. Branham praises the building's solid construction, estimating it can be used for three to five decades without significant renovations. The building currently houses three tenants, including the Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics, and the owners are working to open more space for residential units.
The project at 30 Ste. Anne Rd. is the group's largest to date, but they have successfully completed smaller residential conversion projects. Coun. Parent emphasizes the importance of working with the private sector to secure affordable housing without burdening taxpayers. He believes that early engagement with not-for-profits will provide wraparound care for residents, ensuring a successful transition into permanent community housing.
The city council will vote on municipal support for the project during their February 10th meeting. The meeting will be held at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda and can also be livestreamed. Additionally, the council will consider municipal incentives of $237,500 for renovating 1545 Gary Ave., which will also be funded by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund with no impact on the tax levy. The project at 1545 Gary Ave. aims to transform an old school into a child and youth mental health campus, including a live-in treatment center.
