City Council approves sale of Arrowdale Golf Course

BRANTFORD, ON – At their City Council meeting held August 25, 2020 Brantford City Council voted in favour of accepting an offer of $14M from Elite M.D Developments for the sale of nearly 32 acres of City owned lands that are part of what is known as Arrowdale Municipal Golf Course. The other 17 acres of the Arrowdale lands will be dedicated to a new Community Park.

As per the direction of Council, funds from the sale of the lands will be invested in affordable housing to expedite implementation of the City’s Housing Master Plan, that calls for an additional 845 affordable housing units to be built over the next 10 years.

Affordable Housing units that are rented at 80% or less of the average market rent (AMR) in a community, are developed using government funds which enables units to be rented at a reduced monthly rent. For example, $777 is 80% of the current AMR for a 1-bedroom unit in Brantford. The AMR is published annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Acute need for affordable housing in our community

The acute need for more affordable housing in our community, and the positive impact affordable housing stability has on people’s lives cannot be understated. In October 2019, the City’s Housing Master Plan identified the urgent need for close to just under one thousand housing units to be built in the next 10 years. At present, over 1,700 households are on the community housing wait list.

Earlier this week, the City released an Affordable Housing in Brantford video that demonstrates the urgent need and the incredibly meaningful difference the security of housing can have on a person’s life and well-being. Featured in the video is the powerful and moving story of a senior in our community who waited 5 years to obtain affordable housing.

“I understand why those who disagree with this Council decision are passionate about their position and I respect that”, said Mayor Kevin Davis. This was a very difficult decision however, as elected officials, we have to speak and advocate for those who do not have the means, resources or skills to advocate for themselves. It is impossible to make decisions on behalf of a city of nearly 100,000 people that will please everyone, but I want people to understand that this, like all decisions of Council, was thoughtfully informed, and genuinely made in the best interests of the community as a whole. I hope that we can come together now to fulfill our commitment of doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people in our community.”

Funds from the sale of Arrowdale lands

The City’s approved Housing Plan calls for $45-55M as well as additional funding from the CMHC Co-investment fund and debt financing to meet the total requirement of $100-105M in funding over 10 years to build over 845 new affordable housing units in our community. The revenue from the sale of the Arrowdale lands will fund 3 buildings with a total of 140 units, plus another 80-90 units funded from ongoing annual property taxes. That’s affordable housing for over 230 households which will make a huge difference in the quality of life of those who in some cases have waited over 5 years for affordable housing.

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Media Contact:  
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca