Kawartha Lakes Housing Corporation plans for an energy-efficient 2021

Hope Lee, chair of the Kawartha Lakes Housing Corporation, which is responsible for affordable housing in both Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County, presented a budget request of $1.36 million to council during a recent council meeting.

In her presentation, Lee reminded council that the financial ask was identical to what they required in 2020.

Lee said the goal of the KLHC has not changed and they “are focused on adding, maintaining and improving the stock of affordable housing across the region.”

“A focus for 2021 will be prioritizing energy efficiency in our units. It needs to be top of mind,” Lee said. She points out that the city’s first “passive house design development” is on the way, a standard for energy efficiency which results in ultra-low energy buildings.

The priority project for 2021 will be a 21-unit project to be constructed in the village of Minden.

Lee told councilors that the operating budget of the housing corporation is $7.1 million dollars.

Tenant rents cover $4.5 million of that cost, with the remaining money coming from Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and other sources.

Haliburton County and Kawartha Lakes in total contribute $1.917 million to KLHC, and the share paid is based on the number of housing units within each geographical area.

Kawartha Lakes has 71 per cent of the current stock of KLHC housing within their catchment area and Haliburton has 29 per cent.

That ratio is responsible for the KLHC request of $1.36 million to Kawartha Lakes and $555,945 to Haliburton County.