'I feel at home': Tenants move into The Working Centre’s new affordable apartments
Tenants have started moving into The Working Centre’s new apartment project in downtown Kitchener.
The Working Centre built 21 new apartments funded mostly between donations and the federal government.
The new units are converted offices located on Queen Street South, next to The Working Centre’s office.
Fifteen of them have already been rented out, following move-in day earlier this week.
“I was so excited – I jumped. I feel at home. I'm so happy. Everything is so nice. I'm already seeing it. I already see my future,” said one of the new tenants.
The goal is to help those in need in the community – especially mothers.
“Constantly we are seeing new Canadian women with children who are in crisis – not being able to find a place to raise their child,” said Joe Mancini, director at The Working Centre.
Mancini said the need in Kitchener is clear.
“We put out a call for tenants at the end of April. Within two weeks we had thirty people apply and we were just touching the surface of the issue. I think we could fill 100 units without even trying,” Mancini admitted.
For one of the tenants, who we have agreed to not name, the space is just what she needs to raise her three young children after a stay in the shelter system.
“I had just my room and washroom, but now it's so good. I love it because everything is just for me… no sharing it,” laughed the mother.
Depending on the applicant’s income, the units cost between $400 and $600 a month.
“To watch a family grow in a space is really beautiful and so, I can see that in people's faces but I also know what it's going to look like in 10 years when the child is grown up and they move on and this has been a real supportive community that they've been part of,” Mancini said.
He added that this is the type of affordable housing that is required to lift communities up.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Trudeau must more publicly support ICC decisions amid Israel-Hamas war: ex-ministers
A group of prominent former politicians and current academics is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change his tone on the possibility of arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police cleared pro-Palestinian protesters from a main intersection at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.