Kitchener’s House of Friendship receives $500,000 dollar grant for affordable housing project

An undated stock photo of keys. (George Becker/CTV News)

Kitchener’s House of Friendship is getting a funding boost from the City of Kitchener.

The city says the $500,000 grant will support the Friendship Village project through the city’s Not-for-Profit Affordable and Co-operative Housing Incentive program, making House of Friendship the fourth recipient of this funding.

The funds will be used to help build over one hundred units in their Friendship Village project, a supportive housing and community that aims to provide wraparound resources such as on-site healthcare, mental health services and addiction support for individuals recovering from homelessness.

“House of Friendship is proud to be a recipient of the City of Kitchener’s Affordable Housing grant,” stated John Neufeld, the executive director of House of Friendship, in a media release. “With these funds we can accelerate the building of Friendship Village, which will see 170 units of affordable and supportive housing, in a community where everyone can belong and thrive.”

The city announced in June that they would provide $10,000-per-unit to help build over 500 new not-for-profit affordable housing units. According to the city, funds are intended to cover early project costs for not-for-profit supportive developments, affordable rental or affordable co-op housing units.

“Kitchener is committed to Housing for All and we’re thrilled to announce this milestone in the relationship between the Federal Government, City of Kitchener and community partners that is getting more affordable housing built throughout our community,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, in the release. “This is the power of partnership in Building Kitchener Together.”

Friendship Village will be replacing a House of Friendship men’s shelter on Charles Street, that was demolished in October.