Affordable Housing
How Bad is the Affordable Housing Crisis in Owen Sound?
According to the 2024 Housing Affordability Report Back, households in lower and medium income groups can currently afford a monthly housing carrying cost of $1,019 or less. County-wide there is a deficit of at least 2,400 units as of 2024, which is expected to grow to 3,600 by 2046. The profile is similar for other counties in our region.
The lack of affordable accommodations undermines our community’s economic prosperity. Employers across sectors are finding it increasingly difficult to secure the workforce they need, whether it be the health care, manufacturing, the power sector, retail, tourism or our educational institutions.
For those in a precarious economic position, the housing crisis is resulting in homelessness, hunger, and street violence, impacting our healthcare, social services and social cohesion.
It’s time to get all hands on deck!
The Glassworks Affordable Homeownership Development
The Glassworks Board is excited to share that after 6 months of extensive due diligence and negotiation, we have finalized and signed a contract with our Development Consultant Home Opportunities Non-profit!
Our project will not be a panacea that solves all of the challenges facing Owen Sound and the region.
We believe we are part of the solution.
Glassworks Development Co-op is working to develop a pedestrian-centric neighbourhood of approximately 300 to 400 high-quality, financially accessible condo units, providing individuals and families the opportunity to become home-owners.
At least 60% of the households served will have incomes between $35,000 and $85,000 per annum, helping address Owen Sound’s number one barrier to economic growth and prosperity, the housing crisis.
Key design principles and outcomes will include:
- A pathway to affordable homeownership (+60% units serving annual household incomes of $35,000-$85,000 and a "save to own" program for up to 10% of the units).
- High performance homes (low maintenance, energy and water consumption costs optimized).
- Climate resilience (designed to last 100+ years and withstand and remain robust in the face of changing and intensifying weather and natural disasters).
- The integration of Cohousing principles (shared space, commons, thriving smaller communities, ways of organizing the community).
- The incorporation of accessibility into a significant portion of the site, commons and private homes.
- Consideration of non-residential uses and functions including food production, social enterprises, education and employment within good stewardship principles.
Home Opportunities Non-profit will advise the Glasswork’s Board and coordinate key aspects on its behalf based upon the defined principles and outcomes and services of the contract relating to planning, financing, design, marketing and sales. The goal is to have future residents living in Glassworks Village by or before 2028. More details to come as our pre-development work proceeds.
Why Affordable Homeownership?
Affordable Homeownership means we're:
- Strengthening our local economy by providing housing to workers and their families
- Bolstering our municipal tax base in Owen Sound
- Creating pride of ownership
- Building intergenerational wealth and community wealth to be invested back into the County
- Freeing up affordable rentals for those with incomes below $35,000
What do we mean by Affordable Homeownership?
CMHC defines affordability as "a household spending less than 30% of its gross income on acceptable shelter." Many households cannot afford homeownership because they are not able to:
- Save a significant down-payment
- Gain a mortgage approval due to high interest rates and high housing prices
Many housholds are thus forced to remain in rentals, experiencing:
- Household insecurity
- High expenses
- No appreciation of the equity they invest in their housing
Components of affordability: Glassworks Co-op is working with our development consultant, Home Opportunities Non-Profit, to address the affordable home ownership challenge by helping home buyers:
- Increase their down-payment capacity
- Take advantage of bulk-mortages that will reduce monthly carrying costs
In the coming months, we will be working to advance the project through the pre-development phase to achieve our vision. When we get to construction, we are committed to ensuring:
- Construction costs are kept low
- Quality is high, and
- Long-term operating costs are resonable and manageable
Glassworks Land Success! - January 10, 2024
On January 10 2024, new and long-time community investors came together to pay off the original vendor take-back mortgage on the land, and are looking forward to planning the next steps for affordable, sustainable housing in Owen Sound.
In Owen Sound's 2021 Citizen Satisfaction Survery, housing was the number one issue facing the city.
The CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services (now Brightshores Health System), Gary Sims, told Owen Sound city council earlier this year “the biggest impediment to recruitment of staff is housing”. Both individual and organizational investors have stepped up to contribute to the project, including the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers who have deep roots in the area:
- “This low risk, high impact investment means we are contributing to the financially accessible workforce housing so desperately needed to drive our economy and improve our neighbour’s quality of life. The members of the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW) are excited to invest in Glassworks and to become a member. So many of our families live, work and play in Owen Sound and in the surrounding region thanks to their jobs at Bruce Power, Hydro One and local contractors” said John Wabb, Chairperson, CUSW.
- "One of the key learnings from Community Foundation Grey Bruce's recent Vital Focus on Housing report is that partnerships are key to finding solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Glassworks Village proposes a cooperative model for attainable and sustainable housing, engaging government, nonprofit and private sectors, inspiring community collaboration and innovation." Stuart Reid, Executive Director, Community Foundation Grey Bruce
- Marilyn Struthers of the Social Finance and Housing Group of the Institute of South Georgian Bay shared, “Glassworks has been doing so much important work. We see models like this as a vital part of the infrastructure needed to support affordable living. Co-ops are a long-standing player in the work of housing affordability. That community members have stepped up financially to keep this particular dream alive, is a testament to the viability of local social impact investment, and the traditional "yes we can!" approach to solution-finding in our rural communities".
- “The Glassworks community should be proud. The Ontario Co-operative Association is excited to lend its support to help provide innovative housing and financing solutions. We look forward to exploring the massive housing impact potential of the Glassworks site.“, explained Peter Cameron, Co-operative Home Ownership Project Manager at the Ontario Co-operative Association.
- Kristopher Stevens from Cohousing Options Canada shared, “Leadership starts at the local level with citizens, politicians, administrators, non-profits, service groups, faith-based organizations and the private sector, working together for the benefit of everyone in the community. As a new Board Member, and long-time member and investor, I am excited about how we came together to secure the land and for our collective goal of building a model sustainable neighbourhood of 300 homes.”
- “Like a great family recipe, when it comes to our current crisis in attainable housing it is clear that beyond the most basic ingredients – in the case of housing often boiled to down to supply and demand – is the investment of vision, aspiration and care. I am very fortunate to live in Owen Sound and am energized and excited at the chance to give back and invest in the future of my own community,” said Bob Sutton.
The Glassworks Co-operative Board is grateful to its members and investors for their amazing support and look forward to working with local leaders to bring viable and timely solutions to our housing crisis.
Main points to note:
- In less than two months, the membership stepped up - surpassing its investment goal - to secure our 46 acre property in Owen Sound. We are now in a superior position to consider our options on how best to proceed. The Board continues to assess the best options for building a model sustainable neighbourhood of 300 homes and other secondary sustainable uses plotting a course of action forward. We are looking forward to working together with our members, partners and local leaders to show the rest of the province and country a better way to build our future. The land was purchased for $475,000 and has been assessed at $1.1 million.
- Over the past 4 years, we have received significant input from the community. Owen Sound, like the rest of Canada, is in a housing crisis.
- Key development considerations include: sustainability, resiliency, community centered, integrated design, multi-generational, aging in place, accessibility, workforce housing needs and of course financial accessibility.
- Glassworks has capped the number of investors and the investment total to ensure a healthy loan to value ratio of .73. We intend to have a future inclusive community bond offering to provide more people the opportunity to invest.
- The majority of our members either already live in Grey Bruce or would like to and have strong ties with the region - that's why they are willing to invest their time and money. All our members plan to be actively engaged in Glassworks Development Co-operative either through the housing initative or secondary sustainability uses. As things take shape, we the members of Glassworks, as well as anyone else in Owen Sound (or from further afield) will have the opportunity to own.
Glassworks Co-op
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Contact Us
glassworkscoop@gmail.com
Copyright 2024 Glassworks Cooperative Village, a project of Owen Sound Glassworks Development Cooperative, Inc.
Edward Barker, CPA
Edward has a number of university degrees and a varied work history from Price Waterhouse Coopers. Edward was assigned by the Ontario Minister of Finance to act as the lead negotiator for the Province prior to the implementation of the federal GST. A role that ending up as acting for all Provinces and Territories.
Edward says, “The idea of providing over 300 potential homes at a reasonable cost to the community is very attractive as it will definitely beneficially impact the city.”
Edward offers a wealth of experience at the Board level. Usually resulting in being appointed voluntary Treasurer – at GBHS, Federal Liberal Party, The Women’s Shelter, Billy Bishop House, Church Boards, etc. As well, Ed is a semi-retired CPA that has spent considerable time involved in nonprofit entities including co-ops.
Jason MacDonald
Jason MacDonald currently serves as the Political Action Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers. For over 10 years Jason has worked closely with Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels of Government advancing and protecting workers rights and creating employment opportunities locally and nationally. Jason served as Board Chair for Community Living Kincardine and District for almost 10 years working closely with Operations, ensuring the advancement of programs and services for clients. Jason volunteers locally coaching minor sports and assisting with various community initiatives. Jason is very passionate about “all things local”, and takes great pride in serving the communities and region where he grew up. He knows firsthand how smaller communities require non cookie cutter approaches to their programs and services and believes strongly in affordable housing for all.
Michael Sacco, PhD
Passionate about sustainable agriculture, fair trade, and ethical sourcing | PhD in Indigenous Studies (Agricultural Economics and Interculturality) | Committed to creating positive social and environmental impact through food systems transformation | Currently driving sustainability initiatives at Chocosol Traders | Open to networking and collaboration opportunities!
About Me: I am a dedicated professional with a PhD in Indigenous Studies (Agriculture Economics and Interculturatily), specializing in sustainable food systems and fair trade practices. My career journey has been driven by a deep passion for promoting ethical sourcing, supporting small-scale farmers, and fostering environmental stewardship within the food industry.
Current Role: At Chocosol Traders, I am fortunate to contribute to our mission of creating regenerative and equitable food systems. As CEO, I lead initiatives to ensure the ethical sourcing of cacao, coffee, and other ingredients, while also fostering relationships with local and international farming communities. Together with our team, I am committed to delivering high-quality products that reflect our values of fairness, transparency, and environmental responsibility.
Notable Accomplishments:
● Implemented sustainable sourcing strategies that have enhanced the traceability and quality of our ingredients.
● Established partnerships with small-scale farmers and cooperatives, promoting fair trade practices and supporting community development.
● Contributed to product development efforts, introducing innovative and responsibly sourced ingredients to our offerings.
● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to build SQF certified cradle to cradle chocolate factory in Toronto, Ontario 2023
● Spearheaded the regeneration of jaguar cacao trees and chocolates in the international chocolate community and in the Indigenous forest gardens of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Let's Connect: I am always eager to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for sustainability, fair trade, and social responsibility. Whether you're interested in discussing potential collaborations, sharing insights, or simply exchanging ideas, I welcome the opportunity to connect and explore how we can create positive change together.
Kris Stevens
Kristopher is a community builder focused on advancing a more sustainable future for his son, family, friends and the people of Canada. He is an experienced leader and advisor in the field of sustainability with more than 15 years experience. Kristopher specializes in developing and implementing strategies that bring together commercial, public, indigenous and community partners to create individual, social, economic and ecological value.
Highlights from his career include: advancing the Community Wealth Non-profit development approach to workforce housing, indigenous housing and cohousing that makes home ownership accessible to those with annual incomes of $30,000 a year, advancing the indiginization of the trades, serving seven years as the Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, initiating Ontario’s successful Green Energy and Economy Act campaign, recruiting executives for Fortune 500 multinationals in Asia and researching economic reform in Africa and the sensitive topic of social friction in Ontario’s electricity sector.
Kristopher currently serves as the Executive Director of Cohousing Options Canada, Sustainability and Innovation Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, a Consultant and Director of Roots to Roofs Community Development Society, President of Smart Net Coalition Board, an advisor to the American Cohousing Association and a Director of the Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association. He previously served as a Director on the Board of the Canadian Cohousing Network and Sage Senior Cohousing Advocates.
Kelsey Carriere
Kelsey is one of the founding members of Glassworks Co-op and is passionate about progressive community-driven solutions to wicked and urgent problems. Her work stems from the premise that through thoughtful design and collaborative planning we can develop dynamic systems and viable solutions to complex issues impacting our community like housing affordability and the need to drastically reduce the environmental impact of our lifestyles.
Kelsey has a background in environmental studies and community arts and brings a Masters degree in Urban Planning and a lifetime of community development project expertise to the team. She grew up in Grey-Bruce, and started the Wiarton Farmers’ Market and the Rising Sun Bakery. In Toronto, she Co-Founded PS Kensington - a 20 year running celebration of Community, Culture and Ecology in Kensington Market, worked at Park People running their national conferences and professional services and is now a Senior Project Manager with the City of Toronto helping build pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Harjit Singh Khalsa
Dedicated and experienced professional seeking to contribute strategic leadership, community engagement, and expertise inhousing to facilitate the cooperative's mission of providing sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
President
Hepworth Hostel, Hepworth, Ontario, Since 2019
• For profit accommodation provider serving Grey Bruce areas
Broker Homelife Superstars Real Estate Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Since 2001
• Buying, selling, renting of Residential, Commercial, and Investment Real Estate
Education:
• Electronics and Communication Engineering Diploma (India, 1984-87)
• Post Diploma in Computer Applications (India, 1987-89)
Skills:
• Community Engagement: Proven ability to engage with diverse communities, build
relationships, and foster collaborative initiatives.
• Project Management: Track record of successfully managing projects from
conception to completion, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Financial Oversight: Experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and resource
allocation to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Policy Development: Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to
develop and implement policies in line with organizational goals.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills in guiding teams, making strategic
decisions, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the
ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Certifications:
• Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards & Tribunals
(York University, 2017)
Professional Memberships:
• Canadian Real Estate Association
• Ontario Real Estate Association
• Toronto Real Estate Board
Volunteer Experience:
• Director of Real Estate Council of Ontario (2014-17)
• Director of Ontario Realtor Care Foundation (2017-19)
• Member of CREA Realtors Care Committee (2019-20)
• Member of TREB Member Services Committee (2014-15)
• Chair of Community Improvement Planning Committee of Township of South Bruce
Peninsula (2017-22)
• Member of OREA Political Action Committee (2018-19)
• Member of Grey Bruce Climate Action Team (Since 2019)
• Member of Ontario Bee Association’s Governance Committee (Since 2023)