A new affordable housing project in Antigonish is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Antigonish Co. councillors voted unanimously to sell a parcel of land on Appleseed Dr. to members of the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society for one dollar at a special meeting Monday night.
Society members are planning a four-building, 12-unit development across from Antigonish Education Centre and Saint Andrew Junior School; one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be available, with four barrier-free units for tenants with mobility issues.
After the meeting, Owen McCarron, the warden of the municipality, said the land has been assessed at $34,000, and they’ve been offered as much as $65,000 for it, but councillors feel AAHS reps have come up with a worthwhile project.
“They’ve done a tremendous job, giving great opportunities for folks that need better housing,” he said. “We just felt it was the right thing to do, and it was the right time to do it.”
McCarron said municipal officials are also contributing $100,000 toward the project, which is expected to cost $3 million, in addition to the land.
He said it will provide numerous benefits.
“When people have good housing, their quality of life increases on a number of fronts- from health to education- and it’s a sense of community.”
AAHS reps told councillors tenders close Sept. 10, and they hope to break ground in October.
They said their goal is to have the project finished by June.
There are currently 14 affordable housing units in Antigonish.
