MennoHomes

a response to the need for affordable housing

 

Karen Lebold

Karen Lebold
Karen Lebold is our Community Worker for both The Village and The Rockway Gardens Village. Karen works approximately 15 hours a week alongside the tenants working towards "happy, healthy, and safe community living".
The Rockway Gardens Village

1420 King East

MennoHomes Inc is happy to announce a funding allocation of $2.1 million under the Canada-Ontario “Strong Start” Affordable Housing Program.

The grants are in support of MennoHomes’ 50-unit seniors apartment project to be built at 1420 King East, Kitchener across from Rockway Gardens.

Construction started in Spring 2006 with completion and occupancy by the Spring 2007.  Planning, site-work and drawings were done by Architecture Incorporated and Brian L. Shantz Ltd.

Seniors 55 and older who may be in need of affordable rental housing are encouraged to contact MennoHomes at (519) 578-5546.  Income guidelines apply.

Fundraising Underway for Seniors Project

Revised estimates call for a capital budget of $6.1 million.  To qualify for government grants, MennoHomes agreed to contribute equity of $1,195,000 in land and cash (see chart below).  To date we have received $850,000 in gifts of land ($520,000) and cash and pledges ($535,000).  This leaves $140,000 to raise by the end of 2007.

Canada-Ontario Contribution
$2,100,000
Region of Waterloo grant in lieu of Development Charges
194,750

MennoHomes Contributions

a) land
b) cash

520,000
    675,000

Subtotal
$3,489,750
Mortgage from Mennonite Foundation of Canada
2,610,250
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET
$6,100,000

MennoHomes wishes to gratefully acknowledge the gift of land from the former Eastwood Mennonite Community Homes Inc.  EMCHI surrendered its charter in 2004.  It donated the land to MennoHomes Inc on the condition that a seniors facility be built on the site.

Each unit will cost $122,000 on average to build.  To meet its cash contribution requirements (see chart above), MennoHomes will need to raise $13,500 @ unit.  Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated.

Energy Savings

MennoHomes retained the services of Enermodal Engineering Ltd to make recommendations on how to achieve energy savings for its seniors apartment project.

The cost of measures to improve the building envelope, windows, mechanicals and lighting efficiencies is $100,000.  A federal government grant of $47,234 (CBIP) is anticipated to help offset the extra costs.  It is estimated that the annual energy savings will be in the area of $25,422.  Enermodal projects a payback period of three years for undertaking the measures.  The savings will benefit both MennoHomes and its future tenants.