Northumberland County staff, area politicians, and other stakeholders gathered last Thursday (July 24) to announced the successful completion of the Elgin Park redevelopment project in Cobourg.
The work on the residential complex brings 20 additional affordable housing units to the community.
Wrapping up the project, Northumberland County and Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC) noted the redevelopment nearly doubles the number of affordable housing units at Elgin Park from 18 to 40.
With the final 20 units now complete and ready for occupancy, this milestone “marks a major achievement in the county’s ongoing efforts to address the region’s growing housing crisis, and “demonstrates what can be achieved when all levels of government work in partnership to respond to the urgent need for affordable housing in our region,” the county stated in a media release.
“This project shows the strength of our commitment and the value of strong partnerships,” said NCHC chair Victor Fiume. “With phase one completed in 2023 and phase two now finished, Elgin Park is a model for how we can build high-quality, sustainable, and affordable housing for those who need it most.”
The partners said the project was delivered on time and on budget, through the coordination and commitment from county and NCHC staff, project contractors, and government.
This includes the earlier completion of phase one in November 2023, which added the first 20 units. The second phase, initiated in late 2023, has now added an additional 20 units, completing the site’s transformation.
The completed redevelopment includes a mix of 28 subsidized and 12 market rental units.
With a local rental vacancy rate of just one per cent, and more than 1,000 households on the wait list for subsidized housing — many facing wait times of up to 10 years — the urgency for purpose-built rental housing is “critical,” the release noted.
The Elgin Street site was selected for intensification because of its proximity to services, transit, and amenities.
“Elgin Park is a meaningful step forward for housing in our community,” said Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. “These new units mean more people can live, work, and raise a family in the community they call home. I’m grateful to see the province’s investment supporting projects that deliver results for the people of Northumberland.”
The project received significant investments from both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.
With an estimated construction budget of $16 million, the redevelopment was led by Northumberland County as the primary contributor. The federal and provincial governments contributed $2.4 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, and $5.7 million through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative.
“The completion of Elgin Park — delivered in two phases, on time and on budget — is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” said Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander. “These 40 new homes represent security and stability for individuals and families, and real progress toward a more inclusive community.”
Overall, increasing the number of affordable housing units in Northumberland County is a key priority, Ostrander earlier told kawarthaNOW. He pointed to another development underway on Ontario Street in Cobourg, and noted the county has secured land in Cobourg for future construction.
Meanwhile, in the village of Colborne, the county announced in 2024 additional units for the affordable housing development on King Street.
NCHC has more than 366 owned and operated housing units in Northumberland County.
