Historic St. Paul’s announces affordable housing project

KITCHENER, Ont. – On September 8, Historic St. Paul’s (HSP) hosted M.P. Bardish Chagger, M.P. Tim Louis, Associate Housing Minister Rob Flack, Regional Councillor Jim Erb, and Mayor Berry Vrbanovic for a funding announcement and official launch of the church’s affordable housing project. 

Almost four years ago, the members and leadership at HSP began an exercise to explore how their assets, including the building and property, could be better utilized to serve congregation members and the community. This included ideas to expand existing programs, such as the well-known Community Cupboard. For many years, this program has served hundreds of families a week during the fall and winter with a snack, pantry items, and clothing.

The exploration process led the congregation to the idea of affordable housing, both as an extension of their existing programs and in response to the growing need in the community. There is a housing crisis in the region, which is only increasing. Attaining affordable housing is especially challenging for seniors, and the population aged 65 years and older is expected to more than double in the next 20 years.

In response to this need, HSP is developing an affordable housing building for seniors on the church property. The plan is to construct a new six-storey structure with 57 affordable housing units.

For more than 188 years, the corner of Queen Street and Church Street in downtown Kitchener has been the home of HSP, serving its members and the community here since 1835, and offering the community cupboard for ten years. Now, with thanks to CMHC and the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo, and the City of Kitchener, the church is able to serve at the new level, helping those in need of housing.

“Historic St. Paul’s Church has been one of Kitchener’s original faith communities in the heart of Downtown Kitchener, said Kitchener’s Mayor, Berry Vbranovic. “I applaud their congregation for choosing to live their faith through the provision of 21 much-needed older adult affordable housing units within their existing church property.” 

Josh Lavallee

Photos of HSP church members and Not For Profit board by Steve Ritter

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