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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-04-10, Page 5TT'S YO1IR Rl1S[WFSS Times -Advocate, Apt 10.1991 Pape 6 Housing project nearing completion By Adrian Harte EXETER - The town could be getting 35 new landlords this sum- mer. Although a simplification, that is essentially how the Exandar- ea Meadows Cooperative housing project will be managed. Each prospective tenant must ap- ply to become a member of the co- op, and if accepted, must assume the responsibiliues of a partner in the venture. Each member must participate in committees or help with landscaping or maintenance. "This is the closest thing to own- ing a home you can get," explained Michelle Robert, who will be act- ing as the project's interim consul- tant until a permanent part-time ad- ministrator is eventually hired. "They [tenants] don't sign a lease; they sign an occupancy agree- ment," said Robert. Robert and Colleen Montgomery represent Community Homes of Southwestern Ontario, the company hired by the Exeter Co -Op board of directors to administer the construc- tion and start-up of the $2.9 million project. The Ministry of Housing will be subsidizing the rents of 60 percent of the tenants who qualify for geared -to -income housing. The rest will be paying full market val- ue which has been set at $530 a month for a single bedroom apart- ment, $590 for a two-bedroom townhouse, and $650 for a three bedroom unit. However, this is not a govern- ment housing project. A 100 per- cent mortgage for the $2.9 million has been assumed by the housing cooperative. "There is no government money in the project," said Montgomery, who said the co-op will be paying its first mortgage installment in September once the units are occu- pied. Board of directors member Don Winters said he expects the project will have paid off its mortgage within 15 or 17 years, after which the rent can be applied to mainte- nance and a partial repayment can be made to the minstry for assisting with rents. When touring the mud -bound site on Friday, Winters and Marshall Dearing both said they were very pleased with how the project has turned out, right from the well- designed single bedroom units to the three-bedroom townhouses complete with spacious basement family rooms. Even though the Ministry of Housing requires the units conform to their concept of "modest" accommodation to quali- fy for geared -to -income tenancy, Winters and Dearingsay the board has done very welto make the units as impressive as they are while keeping within those con- straints. Winters says he is especially pleased with the two units designed for handicapped tenants, and the community hall complete with its kitchen facilities. The units are mixed throughout the seven "modules" in an effort to completely integrate the different groups who have different rental needs. Winters says the idea is to avoid "ghettoizing" the project, and have everyone from singles, through families, to seniors living side-by-side. As for the geared -to -income ten- ants, not even the board of directors will know who they are. Only those who handle the applications Walkathon for Children's hospital EXETER - A first-ever walka- thon in Exeter for the Children's Hospital appears to be generating more interest than its organizers first dreamed. A five -mile walk around Exeter on Sunday April 28 is being spon- sored by Steve and Audrey Skin- ner, and even though they had hoed for between 50 and 100 par- ticipants, it is already possible more people than that are planning to help raise money for Victoria Hos- pital in London. Audrey Skinner said that if all funds are collected in time, she hopes to present the money on the Children's Miracle Network Tele- thon in June in memory of her daughter Stephanie Lynn who died of complications after a liver trans- plant last year. Stephanie spent nine months of her 11 -month life at the hospital, receiving care from several depart- ments. "I wanted to do something for the hospital," said Audrey, adding she decided on a walkathon because it is a healthy activity the whole fami- ly can participate in. Once she began to tell people of her plans, enthusiasm built, and now several businesses around town and the high school are hand- ing out sponsor sheets. Several fundraising projects were in the works at the time of Stepha- nie's death, and Audrey sees the en- thusiasm for the walkathon as an extension of that spirit. "I don't think anybody ever for- got her," she said. The money will be donated to the hospital's general fund, mainly be- cause Stephanie made use of sever- al departments and Steve and Au- drey became familiar with many patients. "Steve and I felt the whole hospi- tal could use the money," said Au- drey. "You get really attached to those kids because they're there for a long time." The walkathon will be hi#hly or- ganized, complete with registration at the Lions Youth Centre, check- ing in on completion of the walk which will go past Morrison Dam, and the CWL are even providing refreshments for the walkers. Should it rain, a rain date has been selected for May 5. "I think we've got it all worked out. It takes months of planning," said Audrey. If the event proves the success the Skinners anucipate, then it may become a regular fundraiser in years to come. "It helps to get through these tough days to do something like this," said Audrey. Walkathon - Authy Skinner has high hopes for her April 28 fund- raiser. __ _ will know. Once Exandarea Meadows is up and running, it win achieve near - autonomy and the board of direc- tors who formed to create the pro- ject three years ago will disband. "We winpear into the woodwork," saidisappear Winters of the seven member board, who include himself, Dearing, Laurie Dykstra, Ross Ballantyne, Dwayne Tinney, Bill Mickle, and Morley Hall. When asked if the project will be worth the effort, Dearing didn't hes- titate to answer. "Yes...it will prove itself in the next two years," said Dearing. In fact, added Winters, there is enough extra land on the property to build two more units if needed. The board decided the co-op con- cept could be applied to Exeter's needs when a 1987 study indicated there were gaps in the town's hous- ing market. Although several apeman buildings have been built to Exeter since then, the need for a co-op project is still exists, the board says. "'There is still a substantial need for what we're providing," agreed Mon emery, noting there are still famines in town who would • tp at the chance to get geared -for - income housing. She pointed out they would not necessarily be peo- ple on social assistance. A public information meeting will be held next week on April 18 at the town council chambers for anyone interested in the Exandarea Meadows project. The meeting stats at 7 p.m. The co-op is accepting applica- tions at the moment, but expect that interest in the units will pick up once walkways can be built to the model apartments. The buildings aren't expected to be ready for oc- cupancy until July or August. 'Modest" accommodation - Don inters (left) and Marshall Dearing inspect one of the new co-op townhouses. Exeter Home arid rif harden Show APRIL 12, 13, 14 FRIDAY 7 P.M. - 10 P.M. SATURDAY 12 P.M. - 9 P.M. SUNDAY 12 P.M. - 5 P.M. At The South Huron Rec. Centre Exeter, Ontario Adults - $2.50 Children 12 yrs and under - Free when accompanied by an adult PRESENTED BY THE EXETER OPTIMIST CLUB 1 •