Six-unit affordable housing unit in Barrie made with shipping containers
Just by looking at it, you'd never know that the new six-unit affordable housing project at Lucy's Place in Barrie is made of shipping containers.
"It's very exciting to see this brand new building coming up with this innovative form of modular housing," said John Connell with County of Simcoe Social Housing. "We're really looking forward to it serving people in need in the City of Barrie."
The stacked containers will add additional units on top of the existing 18, bringing the total number to 24.
Lucy's Place opened in 2019 as a motel conversion project to help those experiencing chronic homelessness.
"People, once they are housed stably, they do better, they get the treatments they need, the medications they need, and the supports they need to stay successfully housed, and it's been a fantastic project," said Tim Kent, CEO of Redwood Park Communities.
Last year the Elizabeth Fry Society and Busby Centre reported helping 1,100 people without housing - more than double the pre-pandemic level.
"There's a growing need for a whole range of housing solutions, and county council is looking for opportunities to continue to create and support affordable housing across our communities," said Connell.
Connell said the county currently has several projects in the works, including one in Midland and one in Barrie.
He added there are three larger developments on the go in Orillia and Bradford, with another slated for in Barrie in the next couple of years.
At Lucy's Place, the new 320-square-foot units will help individuals and couples.
Behind the unique twist on the conventional construction market is Northern Shield Development Corporation.
"We need to look at all the options on the table in front of us and think creatively on how we can make those technologies and things that exist into affordable housing," Steve Marshall, president of Northern Shield Development Corporation.
The shipping containers arrived on site in the middle of June, with up to 85 per cent of the work complete.
"The actual design of the container themselves make a building like this very effective and cost-effective because a lot of the work we would normally have to do on-site is done for us," said Marshall.
The units are expected to be finished within the next three weeks, with the goal of having residents moved in by October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.