New affordable rental units for people with disabilities open in Kitchener

A new four-storey building in Kitchener will provide 22 new affordable rental units to people with disabilities.

The Sydney Avenue building opened Thursday, with Kitchener Centre MP Raj Sainiunveiling the project.

The federal government committed $2.07 million to the project, which was spearheaded by KW Habilitation.

• $8.4M towards affordable housing in Waterloo region
• $300K for housing with on-site mental health, addictions support in Waterloo region

All of the units in the building were constructed to be barrier free.

"The need is so great as people age or people that have different issues and have a physical challenge, have nowhere to go or are living in situations sub-par to what their needs are,"said AnnBilodeau, the executive director of KW Habilitation.

Bilodeausaid all of the one and two-bedroom units are already assigned, and there is currently a waiting list for spots.

Sainisaid part of residents' rent will be subsidized by the region, and rents will be below 30 per cent of the median household income in the area.

"What's more important is that they will have a place which will be accessible, affordable and some place they can call home," he said.

Bilodeau said theK-WHabilitation board of directors has approved plans for two additional buildings in Kitchener and Waterloo.