Committee endorses plan to increase number of affordable housing units in Lucy Marco Place

BRANTFORD, ON: Recognizing that it is increasingly difficult for potential home buyers and renters to find suitable options, the City of Brantford and the County of Brant are implementing new strategies to increase and expedite our affordable housing inventory. Consistent with direction provided by the Mayors’ Housing Partnership Task Force Action Plan, the City has moved swiftly to expedite access to more affordable housing options such as the now completed Compact, Affordable, Sustainable and Efficient (CASE) Home modular build at Stinson and Stirton Ave and the new 26 unit modular affordable housing development on City owned land currently under construction at 177 Colborne Street West - both developments are examples of faster ways to build than traditional buildings and in many cases are also more cost efficient. 

Current Need 

As of June 30, 2022, the total Rent Geared to Income (RGI) waitlist in Brantford and the County of Brant was 1,445 households. Of this waitlist, there are 1,404 households waiting for units in the City of Brantford of which 511 (37%) are either singles or couples and an additional 417 (30%) are seniors. These two groups combined comprise 67% of waitlist applications and are the primary demographic of households waiting for a bachelor or one bedroom unit. 

Purchase of Lucy Marco Place – 36-40 Queen Street

Earlier this year, the City engaged Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford campus to discuss plans for the ongoing use of Lucy Marco Place that previously housed students. Consistent with their strategic plan, Laurier Brantford is in the process of implementing a growth plan to expand and restructure some of their existing space and as such Lucy Marco Place is no longer required for residence purposes. Seizing the opportunity to provide housing to those on the housing waiting list sooner than later, in July 2022, Brantford City Council directed staff to purchase the building at 36- 40 Queen Street, funded from the issuance of growth-related debentures and from the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve. The purchase was completed on Oct. 31, 2022. The building will be used to house individuals on the affordable housing waitlist. This housing is not intended to be an Emergency Shelter, but rather more permanent and stable housing with supports.

At their Social Services meeting held December 7, 2022 the Committee endorsed a staff recommendation that will see Lucy Marco Place operating in partnership with three community agencies, including Community Living Brant, Nova Vita, and St. Leonard’s Community Services Inc. The endorsed renovation plan will include a mix of predominantly one-bedroom units with a few two (2) or three (3) bedroom units; more specifically 50+ self-contained one-bedroom units that will meet the needs of the two primary demographics of households/ individuals currently on the affordable housing waiting list.

This retrofit project provides for economical savings, re-use of current infrastructure, shortened time-lines for project completion and tenant occupancy which is expected to occur before the end of the 2023 calendar year.

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Media Contact: 


Maria Visocchi Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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