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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-01-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010.County applies for funding for housing unitHuron County council at its Jan. 6meeting set the wheels in motion fora 30-unit affordable housing project near Clinton. A proposal presented by social services administrator Dave Overboe was tabled from committee of the whole in December for more information. An ad hoc committee looked at the opportunity and need as well as the financial impact, and agreed on a number of issues. It was noted that the provincial and federal contributions would only be available on proposals approved by county council and submitted prior to Feb. 1. The proposal would bring $3,720,000 of AHP funding to Huron and the county’s contribution, which is was noted should be considered a community investment, would be $1,612,000. The report indicated that there are currently 38 seniors waiting for one- bedroom rent geared to income units and there is an estimated three-year wait to access apartments at Huronviews. The project would not commence until funding from the province wasapproved, the report stated. Withthat approval, staff would then workwith the ad hoc committee tofinalize details and make apresentation to council. Treasurer Dave Carey explained the financial impacts suggesting that interest costs are typically less for serial debentures. These are designed to pay equal, semi-annual principal amounts with interest calculated on the declining balance. Among the options for financing presented was one to take the money out of unrestricted reserves and set up a structure to repay the amount in a fashion similar to a debenture. “In effect we would be charging ourselves,” said Carey. Though higher than the current rate, three per cent interest was chosen as “middle ground” he said, to account for any increases in years to come. The impact to the levy, said Carey, for the first five years reduces annually, but by year 30 there would still be a negative impact to the levy. Carey also noted that the option decreases the reserves significantly to $5.4 million. “This is quite low. According to policy they should be at $14 million for an organization this size.”Huron East councillor BillSiemon thought it was worthproceeding. “We will never be ableto build housing for less,” he said,making the motion to proceed with the funding application. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt said that housing for seniors and the physically disabled is needed and with the governments contributing, “we would be remiss to not to up the rest. We should have just taken the money out and gotten on with this. It’s a service, just like roads.” After another comment, Overboe reminded that these apartments are not geared to income like the county housing in communities now. “The rent is fixed depending on the apartment size,” he said. Central Huron councillor John Bezaire said he would like to have seen projected needs in the report. Overboe said the original report had been for an analysis. “To project into the future, we can go by the demographics and see that yes, people are aging, but we don’t have the research at this time to know what that means in Huron within the time restriction we have.” Other concerns were raised, including one by George Robertsonof South Huron about the suggestedlocation which is outside an urbanarea. “Many of these people have noaccess to vehicles. You can’t putthem in a place where they have no way to get back and forth to things they need.” Councillor Joe Seili of Huron East expressed concern about tenants, saying that other buildings began as seniors’ residents but that changed and it has caused some safety concerns for seniors living in them now. Shewfelt disagreed however. “It’s been shown there’s a need. We are already in the business. Other towns have row after row of seniorhousing. I thinks this communityneeds it. I think it’s time.”Overboe noted that Seili raised agood point. “Once a number of unitswere dedicated to seniors but they said we could no longer support seniors and not others. So these may start out that way and may change.” However, he added, “there are people who won’t be able to afford the rent.” Shewfelt reminded, however, that these concerns may be unwarranted for another reason. “We’re not going anywhere unless the feds and the province approve it, so let’s get started.” Membership dues must be paid by end of month THE EDITOR, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! I would like to thank you for a wonderful Christmas edition of your paper. It was so much more personal than most papers. The articles were well written and interesting. Have a great 2010. Audrey Johnston. Continued from page 2 District double dart play laster this winter. Having a good day at play, but not advancing, were John Harrison, Cam Ross, Ken Bird and Andy Adams. Membership dues are due now before the end of the month. New membership is a high priority as well at this time. Joining the Legion is a way you can support the community, the youth of our community and to support the importance of keeping Remembrance Day a strong memory of the sacrifices made by many Canadians during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Those brave men and women will soon be a numbered few, and it is up to the next generations to keep the Royal Canadian Legion the strong organization it is. The Royal Canadian Legion is an organization that has fought for many support programs for the veterans of yesterday and will continue to fight for support of our serving soldiers of today. The Legion is there when they return from serving their country to help in any way they can. We need our membership to grow and continue to be strong, so we can continue our support for our servicemen of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Please consider joining the Royal Canadian Legion and contact your local Branch today. Brussels Branch memberships chairman is Greg Wilson. If you haven’t picked up your 2010 Brussels and area community event calendar yet, they are still available around Brussels, Belgrave and Walton. It is full of information and dates of upcoming events in the seven local villages of the area. The Brussels Legion appreciates your support in this fundraising project. The monthly wings, fries and meat draws are this weekend. Letter to the editor Reader appreciates Citizen’s effort OnlyyoucanmakethedecisiontogettheH1N1flushot.Shotsareavailable at health care provider offices, workplace clinics and many other locations. Visit:ontario.ca/fluYoucalltheshot. •1in5peoplehospitalized withH1N1haveendedupin intensivecareand/oronventilators. •Halfofthoseinhospitalwith H1N1havebeenunder24yearsold. •Morepeoplehavebeensickthis yearfromtheflucomparedtothe past5fluseasons. •Atleast1in3people couldstillgetH1N1. •Fluseasoncontinues untilApril. By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen