St. Catharines Moves to Use $25-Mill for Housing

Tuesday, 6 February 2024 09:40

By Geoff Waterfield

This includes using Municipal Development Corp, which caused some discussion at city council

St. Catharines city council has given approval for city administration to move forward with a plan to use over $25-million from Ottawa to build homes.

That plan included seven initiatives, but some councillors had a problem with the first one, a Municipal Development Corporation.

Mayor Mat Siscoe reminded council it approved the initiatives. "This isn't a pick and choose... the federal government gave us $25.7-million predicated on the fact that we were going to deliver these 7 initiatives. If we don't deliver one of the initiatives that's indicated in the Housing Accelerator Fund application, they're going to take the money back."

A number of councillors acknowledged the MDC was approved in principal, but needed further information.

Councillor Carlos Garcia explained his trepidation.

"I still say council has not approved having a Municipal Development Corporation, and the presentation that we had back in May showed it could cost us between $400,000 and $900,000 a year."

Other initiatives included a sanitary sewer assessment plan, climate resilient housing development plan, and inclusive housing initiative.

St. Catharines Moves to Use $25-Mill for Housing

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