County rejects loan for Abbeyfield House Society
$100K sought to purchase land for seniors housing project
Peterborough County council has denied a request to provide a loan for the Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield’s proposed seniors housing project.
Selwyn Township council made a similar decision last week.
Group president Ron Black asked county council members to consider providing a loan of $100,000 to help purchase a four-acre piece of property for the home to be built on.
“I think the county needs to show initiative for something that’s going to be built in the county,” Black said.
Many seniors living in the county have resided there their entire lives, so it’s important to keep them in their own towns and villages, Black said.
While Coun. Jim Martin said Abbeyfield is a great model, he believes Selwyn Township should be the one providing the loan.
“I think most of our municipalities would be excited to have something like this, but I really think it’s more for the individual township to look at funding something like this. I really don’t think it’s a county thing,” Martin said.
Coun. Bonnie Clark said she’s concerned that the home is for middle-class seniors.
“When we see the numbers, I think $1,500, I was hoping more like the (Whispering Pines/Spruce Corners) Peterborough Housing model in Apsley, where actually a bed-sitting room with nursing care and meals prepared, is $750 a month. So, that bothers me a bit,” she said.
With the growing population of seniors in the area, Coun. Karl Moher said the need for Abbeyfield, or similar projects for housing seniors, is much needed.
But Moher said he read Black’s business plan in detail and, like Clark, noticed it’s for middle-income seniors.
“I think the distinct difference between the Mount (Community Centre) and this project, was Mount is low-income. There’s residents in there that are paying rent of $650 per month, so there are unique differences there, relative to that project versus yours,” said Moher.
Black said $1,500 is affordable, considering the pensions most seniors receive.
Instead of loaning $100,000, county council has agreed to write a letter supporting the project.
“Going around the table here talking, I see as far as the loan side of it, that we are turning that approval down,” Clark said.
“But I do see that Selwyn has written a letter, and I would ask Ron if a letter from the county in support of this kind of project, would that do anything for the project going forward? Just something matching that Selwyn letter.”
As the group continues applying for grants, Black said support from the township and the county is important. He said the group received a letter from Mayor Andy Mitchell and said a letter from Warden J. Murray Jones and county council would be helpful.