It could be a double win against the housing crunch.
Now that Stratford City council has voted to sell vacant land on Vivian Line for a 160-bed long-term care facility, funds from that sale could go right back into housing.
City Council commented on the merits of adding an LTC and the possibilities of what to do with the funds at a special council meeting earlier this week.
Coun. Larry McCabe suggested money could be used for housing, or attainable housing, adding that getting a local LTC in the city is important.
“This is definitely a need in the community. You hear about it all the time. To be able to tell citizens we got this done is a great thing.”
Sixty of the beds are replacing a former LTC home on Mornington Avenue that flooded and closed down, so technically 100 beds would be new.
The 5.7-acre property at 3188 Vivian Line 37 was identified as the preferred choice for a variety of reasons, according to a management report, and it has been envisioned as a ‘campus of care’.
A location in the downtown core at the Grand Trunk site was also considered.
A price has not been disclosed by the city but they will seek market value and the property has been assessed. A deal has to be signed before that information is disclosed.
The developer – Stratford Long Term Care LP (peopleCare) – is working on timelines with the province to get funding approval by November.
Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach said it was important to invest locally and avoid residents having to leave their community to get long-term care.
“It is important to take these proceeds and put it into other housing needs that we have,” she said.
With more than a 1,000 people waiting for an LTC bed, it’s an “urgent need” in the city, added Coun. Leslie Biehn.
Coun. Mark Hunter said there is an “undeniable need” for LTC beds locally.
“We can’t fix all problems with one piece of property but we can address an immediate need in our community and we can take the proceeds from that sale to address other needs in the community, so I am in support of this,” he said.
After the meeting, Mayor Martin Ritsma said council knows the population is not getting younger in the city, so there needs to be a good variety of available places to live in the area.
“It is imperative we provide as much as we can in our own community so people can stay here. Important for us to say to seniors we are thinking about you and here is the plan we have in mind.”
Two community members spoke out against the LTC and its location, noting the cost to taxpayers and how the new build could impact local homeowners.
“In my opinion it’s a win-win,” said the mayor.
