Some councillors think an affordable housing project on recently declared surplus lands in Cambridge could help lighten the wait list a bit.
"I happen to sit on the affordable housing committee for the region and what we're going through is a process to see if it can be used for affordable housing," said regional Coun. Karl Kiefer. "It's one of the things that's drastically needed."
His peer, Helen Jowett, agreed.
"I think we have to invest in affordable housing," she said. "The waiting list is thousands over six years. I can't even imagine what it is post-COVID. You've seen the housing prices soar completely out of reach for many. I can't say why there's any specific reason why I wouldn't want to see it as affordable housing."
City councillor Scott Hamilton, whose ward the property lies in, concurred with the two regional councillors.
"We need affordable housing in the region and especially in Cambridge," he said. "It's a crises because it's multiple issues affecting a variety of generations from millennials to people on lower income that are struggling."
And the location, Hamilton said, is fantastic because it's within walking distance to future light rail transit stops, existing parks, schools, public transportation that links it up with shopping areas.
However, all three accepted that nothing could be set in stone until a staff report is made available on Aug. 3.
The region recently issued a public notice that council was considering declaring the land on 30 Lauris Ave. as surplus, which would enable Waterloo Region to sell it for development.
The piece of land was the former location of the Alison Park Public School, which was lost in a 2008 fire, leading the Waterloo Region District School Board to put it up for sale. The region's Catholic school board bought it next, since it already has St. Anne Catholic Elementary School next door. However, the property eventually made its way to the region a few years ago.
Talking to ward residents, Hamilton said, he always heard calls for more green space, playgrounds, splash pads, tennis courts, and even a dog park.
"There is a need for dog parks but one thing that comes with a dog park is the noise," he said. "But if they were all big fans of that and the whole area came together in support of a dog park there, I would rally behind them. But it has to fit the neighbourhood."
If it's not housing, Hamilton said, another good use would be a shared space that allows people to exit their houses and engage in a shared space.
"Cambridge is increasing in population so we need places where people can go and relax and be outdoors and reconnect," he said. "That's a place that would be ideal if not for affordable housing."
Kiefer said he wasn't sure what else the property could be used for, but he looked forward to the staff report, which might contain other options.
"From where I'm sitting right now, if all the stars align, the site could become land for affordable housing," he said.
Jowett said she knows housing stock is desperately needed but she would be interested is seeing the staff report as well.
"They may have some other ideas around it," she said, adding, there could be an option to incentivize developers to build affordable housing. "The province, the feds, the local governments are all very very concerned about the supply and demand issues around affordable housing."
The call from the region invited residents to submit their comments about the use of the property to regional staff at 519-575-4400 or via email at [email protected].
