Saugeen Shores council has approved the development of an affordable housing project in Port Elgin.
The Town says in a release, at Council’s October 14th meeting, they approved a consortium led by Tim Welch Consulting Inc.
as the proponent to design and construct a minimum 140 unit affordable housing development and municipal park on the Town-owned Bluewater Lands, located at 374 Bruce Street, Port Elgin.
The Town says in a release, “This approval marks the first step of this important project, paving the way for the municipality and partners to improve affordability in Saugeen Shores.”
Mayor Luke Charbonneu says in a statement, “This is a transformation initiative for Saugeen Shores,” adding, “By moving forward with this project, we are demonstrating our commitment to innovative solutions for affordable and attainable housing, and to building a vibrant, inclusive community.”
The development will feature a mix of low-rise apartments and townhouses, with all units qualifying for affordability parameters for at least 50 years.
The Town says a new municipal park could feature potential amenities such as a butterfly meadow, playground, outdoor ice pad, and community garden.
According to the Town, the project is the direct result of the Town’s Affordable Housing on Town-Owned Lands Policy, adopted in February 2024. They explain, the policy enables Saugeen Shores to actively participate in the creation of affordable housing opportunities for moderate- and low-income households.
The Bluewater Lands project is supported in part by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund and will be included in the 2026 town budget.
Other next steps include the Town declaring the residential portion of the land to be surplus, the Town entering into a long-term lease with the proponent, the developers consulting the community on preliminary designs including the park, and obtaining zoning, site plan and building permit approvals.
A staff report to council says the estimated date for occupancy is in late 2027, or early 2028.