Women’s Resources to sell Amy’s Next Step Housing building in Fenelon Falls

By Lindsay Advocate January 29, 2021

KLH Housing Corporation's offer is conditional on financing being approved by Feb 11.

The Board of Directors of Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes and the Kawartha Lakes–Haliburton (KLH) Housing Corporation are excited to announce their agreement for KLH Housing Corporation to acquire Amy’s Next Step Housing at 11 West Street South, Fenelon Falls.

This sale would provide Women’s Resources with the revenue it needs to offer more options in Lindsay closer to its existing programs and services and support KLH Housing Corporation‘s ambitions for more mixed housing development in Fenelon Falls.

“This is a win–win agreement for both Women’s Resources and Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing,” says Lori Watson, executive director of Women’s Resources.

“While we have appreciated the opportunity to provide next step housing in Fenelon, and have received tremendous community support, the location has not been ideal for many of the women we work with. Barriers to accessing transportation, social service programs, medical services, education and employment within Lindsay have been ongoing challenges. The development of a housing service in Lindsay will provide women with more accessible and convenient options and will be close to the other services that Women’s Resources provides.”

The building at 11 West Street South, Fenelon Falls is a two–storey structure consisting of eight units, a common room and kitchen, laundry on each level and office space. For many years now, Women‘s Resources have owned and operated the building as transitional housing for women and their children fleeing violence.

Building on the work of Women’s Resources, KLH Housing Corporation’s plan is to continue using the building in its current form as permanent affordable housing within the eight units, however the property also has potential for further development opportunities.

“We were pleased when Women’s Resources reached out to us late last year and were interested to sell,” commented Hope Lee, CEO of KLH Housing Corporation. “There is a real need for more social housing in Fenelon Falls and this is a great location for us. Adjacent to our 106 Murray Street property where we’re developing plans for another 30 units of housing, this location will help us further our strategic priorities. Women’s Resources has done a great job of maintaining the property and it should be a seamless transition for us.”

Currently, only four units at Amy’s Next Step Housing are occupied and the other four are being used as isolation units for households to stay in prior to accessing the shelter in Lindsay. Women’s Resources will not be accepting new referrals and will work with the four households to find them permanent housing elsewhere before the sale occurs.

Going forward, Women’s Resources and Kawartha Lakes Housing Services will continue to work together to find suitable housing options for victims of domestic violence and more details on programming will be released as it becomes available.