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Kitchener-Waterloo

Affordable housing: see the 3 vacant lots where the region's planning to build

Region of Waterloo council recently voted to designate three regionally-owned surplus properties for affordable housing. Here's what they look like now.

1 property each for Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo

CBC News ·
The Region of Waterloo has designated three surplus properties for affordable housing, including one at 30 Lauris Ave. in Cambridge. (Google Maps)

Region of Waterloo council recently voted to designate three regionally owned surplus properties for affordable housing. 

After development, the three surplus properties are expected to generate about 119 new affordable units — part of the region's broader plan to build up to 2,500 affordable homes by 2026.  

At least 30 per cent of the units at each site will have rents at or below 80 per cent of the CMHC Median Market Rent (MMR), regional staff say. 

It will take time for the affordable units to actually get built. Environmental assessments and other technical studies are needed before the Ontario region can issue a request for proposals (RFP) from developers. 

The region expects to issue the RFP this summer or fall. 

For now, here's what each of the three sites look like. 

30 Lauris Ave., Cambridge

Affordable housing will be built at this vacant site at 30 Lauris Ave. in Cambridge, Ont. (Paula Duhatschek/CBC)

This property, on the west side of Lauris Avenue, is the site of a former Cambridge school. While there are many houses nearby, the site itself must be rezoned to allow residential use.

The quiet street is just off Franklin Boulevard and a short drive to several grocery stores. Cambridge Memorial Hospital is about 10 minutes away by car and 15 minutes by bus. 

Number of housing units expected: +/-45

1388 Highland Rd. W., Kitchener

1388 Highland Rd. W. in Kitchener, Ont., is currently vacant, but has been designated for affordable housing. (Paula Duhatschek/CBC)

On the north side of Highland Road, this property is now used as a staging area for adjacent road construction. It is zoned for high-rise residential development and will be cleared before development, according to a regional report.

The Highland Road property is just off Ira Needles Boulevard and about a 10-minute walk to a drug store, grocery store and bank. 

Number of housing units expected: +/-56

41 Westhill Dr., Waterloo

The final vacant site designated for affordable housing is 41 Westhill Dr. in Waterloo, Ont. (Paula Duhatschek/CBC)

The Westhill Drive property is on the east side of Ira Needles Boulevard, between University Avenue and Erb Street.

It's next door to a retirement community and a short walk or drive to the Boardwalk Medical Centre and to restaurants, banks and grocery stores. 

Number of housing units expected: +/-18

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