The County of Prince Edward will welcome residents to the Leeward House transitional housing facility in the coming days.
“Leeward House marks a significant move forward for the municipality and its residents. This welcoming environment will ensure a safe and supportive space for people experiencing homelessness and help reduce pressures on emergency and community services,” Mayor Steve Ferguson says. “We are excited to see this project move forward, and I want to recognize the hard work of staff and the commitment of our partners for making this happen.”
Leeward House, located at 1133 County Road 5 in Sophiasburgh Ward, is a transitional housing facility, the first of its kind in Prince Edward County. The facility will move nine people directly from homelessness to a supported congregate living environment with on-site staff. Residents will receive programs, services, supports they require as they move toward permanent, sustainable housing.
The facility formerly operated as The Maples retirement home. The municipality has worked with community partners Base31 on an agreement whereby Base31 purchased the property and the municipality enter into a 25-year lease to operate the transitional housing facility. The five current tenants at The Maples have been supported by County staff and the owners of the retirement as they moved to other housing.
Staffing costs and operating expenses for the facility will be covered by funds that the Government of Ontario provides to Prince Edward – Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS) through the Homelessness Prevention Program. The municipality will pay the annual lease for the facility through a combination of PELASS funding and residents’ rent.
For more information about Leeward House, please contact Elis Ziegler, Affordable Housing Supervisor, by email or call 613.922.3785.