GUELPH – A plan by Wellington County’s social services department to increase the number of emergency shelter beds and transitional housing spaces in downtown Guelph has received a funding boost from a so-far undisclosed source.
Last spring, county staff began working with staff at Stepping Stone and Grinham Architects on the viability of developing 23 Gordon Street in Guelph to meet the need for more emergency shelter beds and transitional housing spaces in the city’s downtown, county officials state in a Jan. 29 press release.
Stepping Stone is a non-profit organization that aims to help adults and families at risk of homelessness find safe and secure housing in Guelph and Wellington County.
The 23 Gordon site is a two-storey building owned by Stepping Stone, which currently operates emergency shelter services on the main level and uses the second storey for administration offices.
The release states current zoning at the site allows for developments of between three to six storeys and engineering studies indicate the existing structure could support the addition of one storey.
Grinham Architects has worked with Stepping Stone and the county to develop a project that will support the creation of approximately 24 new emergency shelter beds and 12 new transitional housing units – in addition to the existing emergency shelter services currently being provided, the release notes.
Construction cost of the project is estimated at $3.5 million (exclusive of HST, design costs, permit fees, furnishing and equipment).
The release states county staff have secured capital funding for the project in the amount of $3,941,000. However, due to communication embargoes the county “is not permitted to announce the sources of funding at this time.”
“If experiences of homelessness grow in our community and more shelter space is needed, the floor could be converted from 12 transitional housing spaces into 24 shelter beds,” said Wellington County Warden Andy Lennox.
“This critical project would not be possible without the generous funding the county has received,” states Lennox, who adds the county is “looking forward to publicly recognizing our funding partners at the appropriate time.”
“As the Service Delivery Manager for social services in the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington, county staff will be overseeing the construction management of the project from planning to structural completion, and Stepping Stone will maintaining ownership of the property,” said Luisa Artuso, social services administrator for Wellington County.
The release points out transitional housing provides individuals with temporary safe and stable housing as an intermediate step between emergency shelters and permanent housing.
“Transitional housing is an important part of the housing continuum as it alleviates pressure on the emergency shelter system, helps prevent individuals (from returning) to homelessness, and supports their wellbeing as staff work with them towards obtaining permanent housing,” county officials state.
The release points out transitional housing can also provide “individualized wrap-around support services” that could include primary health, mental health, substance use supports, counselling, job training and placement, community activities, and help with life skills.
The tentative completion date for 23 Gordon St is February, 2025.
