•  JANUARY 13, 2023 – 12:35 PM  NICOLE KLEINSTEUBER  NEWS, QUINTE

Rental applications for a new affordable housing development in Wellington will be available in mid-March.

The Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation announced Thursday the tender has gone out for the demolition of the former Wellington Arena at 230 Niles Street.  The demolition will make way for an affordable housing project that has been in the works for several years.

Chuck Dowdell, executive director of the corporation said they are getting a lot of calls from interested parties now that the demolition notice has gone out.

“We are finalizing the eligibility criteria [for potential renters],” he said in an interview.  “A PSA will go out on March 15 to let people know that are now taking applications.”

Both paper and electronic applications will be made available.  Dowdell stressed the eligibility criteria will protect Prince Edward County residents.

“We are not building these for someone to relocate from Toronto,” he stated.  “This is not for tourists.  They are being built for the people of Prince Edward County who have limited income or can’t afford market rents.”

The project will consist of 36 units comprised of one, two, and three-bedroom units and four three-bedroom affordable family townhomes for occupancy in the early fall of 2024.

The units will be priced as follows: one bedroom is $740/month plus utilities; two bedrooms are $920/month plus utilities and three bedrooms are $1,200 plus utilities.  The development will have solar and geothermal systems to keep the utilities at a reasonable rate as well, Dowdall said.

The rent prices are pushing 50 per cent below market rents, Dowdall compared.

The average one-bedroom apartment is being listed for $1418/month; $1,803 for a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom at $2,212.

“It’s unaffordable for most people,” he said.

InQuinte will also provide coverage when the applications are available to the community.

In the meantime, the demolition tender for the former Duke Dome closes on January 30, 2023. Demolition is scheduled to begin on March 10, 2023 with a completion date of May 1, 2023.

Prior to demolition commencing, the Affordable Housing Corporation and County staff will hold a public meeting for residents to review the demolition plan and answer any questions.