The numbers are in for the mixed-income, mixed-use, social housing development planned for Barrie’s 20 Rose St.
Simcoe County council approved its 215 housing units in nine- and 11-storey towers plus a parking garage, with a $217 million price tag, at its Aug. 8 meeting.
This breaks down to 64 rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units, 24 federal/provincial funded units, with rental amounts calculated at an average of 80 per cent average market rent (AMR), 99 units at 100 per cent average market rent, and 28 studio and one-bedroom units on the top level of each wing that will be rented at 120 per cent average market rent.
Average market rent is determined and published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation each year.
Right now, for example, the current 100 per cent average market of a one-bedroom apartment in Barrie is listed at $1,278 per month and 80 per cent of that is $1,022.
This development will have 136 one-bedroom apartments, 39 three-bedrooms, 36 two bedrooms and four studio apartments.
Site preparation will begin in early 2024, with an estimated completion date in 2026-2027 – although that timeline is subject to change.
In the meantime, the property will not sit idle. Its 50 beds will again be a temporary homeless shelter.
“Currently the site is being used for a temporary supportive housing space and the county plans to utilize the mobile buildings as a temporary shelter again during winter 2023/2024, until construction begins,” said Brad Spiewak, the county’s director of social housing. “Public consultation will occur at later stages as the Rose Street project progresses.”
This site is designated a community hub in Barrie’s Official Plan and zoned institutional, which permits the proposed development and uses. But a site-specific zoning bylaw amendment to increase the height of the building, and reduce parking standards, will be required.
The county will host public information sessions with local residents to gather feedback on the building design and site layout. Public information sessions are anticipated before the site-specific zoning bylaw amendment process.
Once built, the studios at 20 Rose St. will be 500 square feet in size, the one-bedrooms 640 sq. ft., the two-bedrooms 950 sq. ft. and the three-bedroom units 1,100 sq. ft. each.
The County of Simcoe’s share of capital construction costs is just more than $128 million, Barrie’s $45.9 million, Orillia’s $9.6 million and the province’s $6 million. The county expects revenues of $27.3 million from what it calls proceeds of disposition, or selling existing properties.
The $217-million cost is based on what the project will cost in three years, factoring in inflation.
This project is larger than what staff have called the base case, which was 176 units, nine and 11 storeys, ground floor and second-floor commercial and a parking structure of three levels, one below grade, for $198.6 million. County council had also looked at options with 188 units for $199.3 million and 271 units for $240 million.
County staff have said, however, that option three provides an appropriate mix of uses, including commercial, community and social services agency space and residential units for seniors, families and individuals that balance a range of incomes and housing needs and creates a secure, high-quality, well-maintained living environment in a residential neighbourhood.
County staff say there is no standard affordability mix, however, a balance of 25 per cent very low income, 50 per cent moderate income and a 25 per cent market rate are estimated to be sustainable.
Option three also incorporates agency space, Ontario Works, above the parking structure.
To be a multi-use energy-efficient building, it includes affordable housing units, replacement rent-geared-to-income units and community services resources and supports through the County of Simcoe, including children’s services, community services and social housing services.
This property formerly housed the Barrie Ontario Provincial Police detachment building, which has since been demolished, and has been the site of a temporary homeless shelter.
