Glassworks Village
Be the first to learn how you can be part of Glassworks Village!
We're working to build more than homes - together we are developing a thriving, mixed income community of diverse backgrounds. A place where you can own your own home, be surrounded by parks and greenery, in a neighbourhood designed to be safe, accessible and fun for people of all ages. A thriving village where we co-care for one another, live lightly on the land, and contribute to making Owen Sound an even more amazing place to live.
Glassworks Village is being built for the amazing people of Owen Sound and the region first. We are focused on home ownership, not rental, and all homes will be owner occupied. No speculators.
60% of the homes will serve households with incomes of $35,000-$85,000. Up to 10% of the homes will be made available as save-to-own.
Building Features
Designed to maximize privacy and access to community
Energy and water efficient design surrounded by parks and greenery
Multi-purpose indoor and outdoor community spaces
Accessible for those with a range of mobility needs
Community Features
A village of clustered neighbourhoods of town homes
Natural features and construction to ensure climate resiliency
Natural corridors and food gardens
Protected green space
Neighbour-friendly design
Every home is affordable when bought by the first owner. When that owner sells, we (Glassworks) reinvest the shared equity the owner was lent. That means for every home we build, we are able to build even more homes and help more people gain homeownership.
How will it work?
Community Wealth will help those that need it. They can help with the down payment and will help with a shared equity mortgage reducing your monthly carrying costs.
The more you pay down your shared equity mortgage, the more equity you will own.
How can I help?
Become a Glassworks Co-op Member and support our work on housing, social enterprises and environmental education
Spread the word to neighbours, friends and aging family members
Let your councillor and the mayor know that you support our efforts to build affordable homeownership and a thriving village in Owen Sound
Ask your employer to become a Member and lend their support so that our great workers in the health, education, manufacturing and service sectors can own their own home, thrive and contribute to an amazing Owen Sound
If you're interested in becoming a future resident, want to lend your support or simply want to stay in the loop, please sign up to receive regular updates below.
Pending approvals, our goal is to have residents living in Glassworks Village by or before 2028.
What happens when you join the below list?
We will send you a thank you note and a copy of the current project briefing
You will receive regular project updates
We will. notify you of information sessions, workshops and when the official wait list opens
You will receive an invitation to become a Member of Glassworks Co-op. Your Membership helps support our important housing, social enterprise and environmental education work in Owen Sound and the region.,
Looking for more information? Please reach out to glassworkscoop@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you into the Glassworks community as we move from plan to progress.
Sign up to stay in the loop!
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.
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.
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.
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)