New supportive housing project at former LTC home almost ready for move-in

A new supportive housing project is nearly ready to welcome 50 new residents.

A new supportive housing project in London is almost ready to welcome 50 new residents.

Funding was announced Wednesday for Coves Landing. It’s a 50 unit retrofit of the former Elmwood Place long term care home on Elmwood Place.

It will be operated by housing non-profit, Indwell, and will include wrap-around support for tenants.

“There’s something that happens when you walk through the doors here and over the threshold into someone’s new apartment. They actually take that label, that situational label of homeless, and they get to throw that down, and not have to pick up that label again,” said Jeff Neven, CEO of Indwell.

Residents are expected to move in March of next year. Twenty-one million dollars in project funding comes from several sources, including the federal government along with the city of London, London Community Foundation and Developing for Change - a consortium of local developers.

“Under most circumstances we’re friendly competitors. But for this project, competition took a back seat. We all share a deep commitment to our city, and believe that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home,” said Jamie Crich, representative for Developing for Change.

“I think that the partners and the people who are here today completely understand the work that needs to be done to ensure that there’s a home for the most vulnerable people in our community. But there’s also a home for every single person who has ambition and a future in this country,” said London West MP Arielle Kayabaga (Liberal) who was on hand, representing Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister, Gregor Robertson.

A break down of funding for Coves Landing

• Over $11 million from the federal government, through the National Housing Strategy’s Affordable Housing Fund
• $2.5 million from the City of London to offset capital expense and to support rent supplements
• $5.7 million from The London Community Foundation through Fund for Change
• $2 million from Developing for Change, a partnership between four of the city’s major developers – The Tricar Group, Drewlo Holdings Inc., Auburn Group and Sifton Properties Limited to offset capital expenses.