New Bradford project aims to help tackle critical shortage of affordable housing
The pandemic has magnified the need for housing across Simcoe County, and a new 50 unit affordable housing project in Bradford should help ease some of the pressure.
The town donated the land at 125 Simcoe Road for the project and is collaborating with the County of Simcoe for the build.
Simcoe County Warden George Cornell said, "We know the need is here and has been there in southern Simcoe County, so I'm very excited that we are able to bring a project like this forward."
In 2014, the county set a target to create 202 new affordable homes in the town.
Around 900 households are currently on the centralized waitlist for social housing in Bradford alone.
As housing prices continue to soar, Bradford Mayor Rob Keffer says, "it is a dire situation in our community to have affordable housing. It's great that this location and the county of Simcoe is coming through."
According to CONTACT Housing Services Manager Jerry Martinovic, the current waitlist for government-owned subsidized housing is 14 years. "Even with the subsidies, most people can't afford what's on the market, so we have a huge need."
The project has been in the works since 2016 as part of the county's 10-year- affordable housing and homelessness prevention strategy.
The county-wide goal of 2685 units is closer to reality with this build, said Greg Bishop, Social and Community Services General Manager, Simcoe County and "right now we are at 88 per cent of that."
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022, with occupancy anticipated by the end of 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Running through middle age can keep brain healthy and neurons wired: study
Exercising as you age can help maintain memory and fight cognitive decline, according to a new study.

Prediabetes: The younger you are, the higher the risk of dementia
People who develop prediabetes when they’re younger are likely to have a higher risk for dementia in later life, a new U.S. study has found.
GOP-controlled Texas House impeaches Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, triggering suspension
Texas' Republican-led House of Representatives impeached state Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday on articles including bribery and abuse of public trust, a sudden, historic rebuke of a GOP official who rose to be a star of the conservative legal movement despite years of scandal and alleged crimes.
Hamilton police ask residents to shelter after barricaded man involved in double homicide fires shots
Police in Hamilton, Ont. are dealing with a barricaded person who they say is involved in the deaths of two people.
White's putback as time expires lifts Celtics past Heat, forces Game 7 in East finals
Derrick White scored on a putback with 0.1 seconds left and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of the greatest comeback in NBA playoffs history, holding off the Miami Heat 104-103 on Saturday night to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Dellandrea scores twice in 3rd, Stars stay alive with 4-2 victory over Golden Knights
Ty Dellandrea scored twice in a 1:27 span midway through the third period and the Dallas Stars beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Saturday night to stay alive in the Western Conference Final.
Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey engaged
Celebrated Team Canada hockey players Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey have announced their engagement.
Attorney for 11-year-old Mississippi boy shot by police says there's 'no way' he could have been mistaken for an adult
An attorney for an 11-year-old Mississippi boy who was shot by a police officer after he called 911 for help said Thursday there was 'no way' the boy could have been mistaken for an adult.
Killer whales wreck boat in latest attack off Spain
Killer whales severely damaged a sailing boat off the coast of southern Spain, the local maritime rescue service said on Thursday, adding to dozens of orca attacks on vessels recorded so far this year on Spanish and Portuguese coasts.