It appears Bruce County is going to have a surplus in its 2020 fiscal year.
And Affordable Housing could be the main beneficiary of the cash.
The county’s Corporate Services Committee heard from director Edward Henley who said he expects the surplus to total over 2.9-million-dollars and he would like to see most of that money–$1.75 million–go towards affordable housing construction.
Henley says there’s no reason to wait multiple years to have another affordable housing project when they could build now.
He says if they can get some donated land and if the county creates development charges, it could cover 25% of the cost of the next development.
Councillor and Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau says his municipality would be eager to develop more affordable housing in the community and could provide free land for the project.
Meanwhile Northern Bruce Peninsula Mayor Milt McIver says smaller communities such as his have the housing needs as well.
McIver asks, “Do we ever have an opportunity to be involved in affordable housing? We contribute to the system, we think we need to have something in return.”
The committee voted to earmark the expected 1.75-million-dollars with the remainder going to other initiatives.