Plans for an affordable housing development in Port Elgin are moving forward.
Saugeen Shores has approved the site plan agreement with the Bruce County Housing Corporation for the build on Wellington Street.
Manager of Bruce County Housing Services Susan Earle says construction can now begin in late April and should wrap up around this time next year.
Earle says this project is exciting because the development will have some unique features.
It will be the first in Bruce County to have a geothermal heating and cooling system, which will help with utility costs.
Earle says the units will also be the first to be designated smoke free to eliminate the costs of having to clean, paint, and re-carpet after a smoker moves out.
Earle says this development includes a 28 unit apartment building as well as 8 townhouse units.
The apartments will be 1 and 2 bedrooms with 3 handicap units, while the townhouses will be 3 and 4 bedrooms, with 1 handicap unit.
A one bedroom apartment will rent for about 510 dollars while a 2 bedroom unit will go for 620.
For the townhouses, rent will be rent will based on income at a rate of 30 per cent.
Earle says the need for affordable housing continues to be great, with the waiting list in Saugeen Shores about 150, and over 300 in all of Bruce County.