CHIP - 63 Halton St. - Interior - via social media
Community Housing Intiative Perth or CHIP is on the home stretch in their journey to complete at 15-unit affordable and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) apartment building at 63 Halton Street in Perth.
Their trek started back in 2019 when CHIP co-chairs Rev Ken Davis and David Kroetsch sought supporters to create a modest 3-unit apartment structure.
They partnered with Carebridge Community Support, signed an agreement with the Perth and District Community Foundation to receive donations, and met with Town planning staff. St. James Anglican Church was on board early with $10K of seed money.
After presenting their ideas to Perth council’s committee meeting in 2022, Mayor Judy Brown identified a vacant Town-owned property on Halton Street and it was decided to increase the size and scope of the project to reach 15 units, 7 of which would be RGIs and the remainder priced below market rental rates.
The Town sold CHIP the property for one dollar and committed to waiving permit fees and development charges. Construction by the Saumure Group began late last year.
Mac Girouard of CHIP gives us an update on the project’s progress.
The project received a major boost from the County of Lanark which provided over $3M in funding along with financial support from CMHC.
CHIP member Brian Perkin gives us a run-down on what the community’s portion is.
To donate, go to Perthhousing.ca.
Story by Brian Turner
