Join Other Local Employers and Allies!
Local Employers are helping tackle Owen Sound's #1 barrier to economic development and community prosperity! Housing.
Join Us! Support Glassworks Village, a 350-500 unit affordable homeownership development!
The following employers have written support letters endorsing the Glassworks Village affordable homeownership project recognizing that their workers want to own a home in Owen Sound.
If you would like to endorse Glassworks as an employer fill out the survey below!
The Affordable Homeownership Development Framework
According to new figures from the Ontario Living Wage Network in 2023, Owen Sound has the highest housing costs in Ontario outside of the GTA. 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.
The affordable homeownership development framework involves shared equity financing, where the co-operative or a partner organization helps finance part of the down payment and the carrying cost of the mortgage for the homeowner. This reduces the initial cost barrier to homeownership and the income threshold required to carry the home’s mortgage.
This (and future) Glassworks Co-op housing project(s) are designed to address the housing crisis (a 1% vacancy rate!) providing a pathway to homeownership for people with moderate incomes. With 60% of homes aimed at households earning $35,000 - $85,000/year, it offers an opportunity for people who might otherwise struggle to afford market-priced homes. Unit sizes will be matched to income ranges (Studios for $35K–$45K, one-bedrooms for $45K–$55K, family-sized homes for $55K+)
Additionally, the design prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and community-focused living, ensuring that future residents have affordable, energy-efficient homes that will stand the test of time.
Dignified housing (and especially homeownership) is out of reach for many. Social isolation is also increasing with stressors directly linked to affordability of basic needs. The need for affordable housing is clear and our unique model for ownership allows lower income households the ability to grow generational wealth and access shared amenities and multi-generational support systems.
Workforce Housing
The term Workforce Housing is usually used when engaging with employers, municipalities and other levels of government because it speaks directly to their priorities: economic development, talent recruitment, and retention.
By targeting moderate-income households—this approach enables essential workers such as health care staff, teachers, tradespeople, and service industry employees to secure stable housing within the communities they serve. In doing so, it ensures that vital workers can live close to their workplaces, strengthening both the local economy and community resilience.
Employers understand that if workers can’t find secure, affordable places to live, they will leave. When that happens, businesses suffer, and the community as a whole feels the impact. By tackling this challenge head-on, we not only meet a pressing local need, we also showcase why this is such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The housing crisis is a national issue—but with the Glassworks affordable homeownership project, Owen Sound has the chance to lead the way.
This model balances community needs with employer priorities by:
Leveraging the strengths of civil society and private sector partnerships.
Building housing matched to household incomes, not speculative markets.
Creating sustainable homeownership opportunities that strengthen both the local economy and the social fabric.
Principles Guiding the Development
High-Performance Housing: Energy- and water-efficient, low-maintenance homes and buildings.
Climate Resilience: Designed to last over 100 years and withstand intensifying weather and natural disasters.
Community and Cohousing-Centered Design: Private, walkable homes integrated with shared spaces such as common houses and outdoor areas to encourage social interaction and intergenerational living.
Accessibility and Inclusion: A significant portion of the site, including common and private areas, is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Integrated Land Use and Employment: The southern portion of the property is envisioned for severance to enable employment and training projects led by Glassworks, creating a mixed-use community that blends housing and economic opportunity.
Grant-free and subsidy-independent: The project will not require any grants, subsidies, or the waiving of municipal chargers and fees or access to free development lands.
Designed to serve workers and their families while helping employers: By expanding the pool of homeowners who become new taxpayers, the municipal tax base will be strengthened and local services and businesses will be supported as well.
Scalable and Self-perpetuating: The community wealth to reinvest in Owen Sound and the region grows over time, reinvesting in additional housing and local community infrastructure.
Glassworks Co-op
Resources
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)