The Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation (PECAHC) is welcoming The County Foundation’s announcement about the launch of a new Affordable Housing Fund.
“We are thrilled that The County Foundation has created this fund to increase access to safe, affordable, and stable housing for residents in Prince Edward County,” says PECAHC Board Chair Phil St-Jean. “Through its Vital Signs work, The County Foundation understands how critical affordable housing is to the social and economic health of the community. We applaud The County Foundation for stepping up to make a difference in advancing affordable housing projects.”
As it is donor-advised, the Affordable Housing Fund is initially focusing on the identified affordable housing project on Disraeli Street. The project, which PECAHC is currently undertaking, has an approximate funding gap of $390,000 within a total project cost of $3.5 million. Once complete, the project will result in eight units of housing in Picton. The intent of this fund is to address the immediate needs of the Disraeli Street housing project while also serving as a vehicle to support future affordable housing initiatives, such as the proposed PECAHC project on Niles Street in Wellington.
“Housing is about much more than having a roof over your head. It is the foundation that allows people to live, work, raise families, contribute to their communities, and build a sense of belonging,” says Dominique Jones, Executive Director of The County Foundation. “Affordable and attainable housing is not just for a specific group of people. It supports the nurses, tradespeople, seniors, educators, farmers, hospitality workers, entrepreneurs, and young families who are essential to the vitality of Prince Edward County.
“When people can afford to live where they work, communities become stronger, more connected, and more resilient,” Ms. Jones adds. “We know from Vital Signs data that Prince Edward County has the lowest proportion of working-age residents in Ontario, with just 53.5 per cent of our population between the ages of 15 and 64, compared to 67 per cent across the province. Without housing options that are within reach for working people and families, this gap will continue to widen, placing increasing pressure on local businesses, workforce recruitment, volunteer organizations, and the services we all rely on.”
The Affordable Housing Fund will be established with a $50,000 donation from a private donor. Donations directed to the fund will be stewarded by The County Foundation in alignment with its original intent and directed toward affordable housing initiatives that support safe and accessible housing in our community.
Furthermore, an additional $50,000 in matching funds has been pledged by another private donor wanting to support the cause. Double your impact and help address this critical need in our community.
The Affordable Housing Fund will not have open calls for applications. Instead, it will focus on specific, identified projects and opportunities before considering additional projects.
Make affordable housing in Prince Edward County a reality:
- Discuss your plan for giving with Ms. Jones by emailing ed@thecountyfoundation.ca or calling 613.519.4470.
- Donate online through CanadaHelps by selecting the fund from the drop-down menu.
- Mail a cheque addressed to The County Foundation with “Affordable Housing Fund” in the memo.
Mailing address is 100 Picton Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0. - Send an e-transfer to info@thecountyfoundation.ca with “Affordable Housing Fund” in the memo.
Please send us a separate email to confirm the password and to provide your details for the tax receipt.
PECAHC is a municipal service corporation with charitable non-profit status. It is overseen by an independent board with the municipality as the sole shareholder. The municipality will be acting as the qualified donee for gifts to the Affordable Housing Fund to support the identified project on Disraeli Street. Visit the PECAHC website to learn more.