Prior to moving into Simcoe County's largest-ever affordable housing initiative, resident 'felt trapped' in less-than-ideal situation

The new tenants of Simcoe County's largest-ever affordable housing complex are begin to settle into their new homes and new lives.

Amber (she asked her last name not be used), 22, and her common-law husband Matthew have lived in Collingwood throughout their lives off and on.

They were approved for one of the units and moved in to the County of Simcoe Town of Collingwood Affordable Housing Development – located at High, Second and Elm Streets – on May 30.

Up until being approved for the apartment, Amber, Matthew and their seven-month-old daughter Skyee-Lynn lived together in a bedroom of a house that belonged to Matthew’s parents.

They were paying $800 a month for one small room.

“That was hell as it was,” said Amber. “I felt so trapped. (Matthew’s) dad and I do not get along. I hated being there, but there was nothing I could do to get us out of there.”

“I also felt pretty helpless... not knowing where we’d be going next,” she added.

Amber is on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) due to mental health issues that include a severe anxiety disorder. Matthew works at Pilkington Glass making a little more than minimum wage, which reduces the amount Amber can collect from the government.

“We only have an income of about $2,000 a month,” said Amber. “It was really hard, especially because, for the longest time, we weren’t able to figure out how to save money. Some of the library staff actually helped us to figure out how to budget our money.”

Now Amber says the couple is in a much better financial situation, even being able to put aside a little bit of money every month. At the new building, the family’s rent is $763 a month.

“Now, if Matthew needs some time off work or something, we have enough money to cover the rent. It’s helpful,” she said.

The Second Street building completely exceeded her expectations.

“I was told it was done nicely, but I didn’t expect it to actually look like it’s worth $1,400 a month,” she said.

The Town of Collingwood Affordable Housing Development is the County of Simcoe’s largest housing development project ever undertaken.

There are two buildings: one is affordable housing for families, and the second is primarily for seniors with commercial/office space for social services such as Ontario Works.

According to Arfona Zwiers, director of social housing with the County of Simcoe, all units in the first building have been offered and expect to be at full occupancy by the end of July.

The second building is in the final stages of construction.

“The second building is targeted to seniors, including Ontario Works and a children services office on the ground floor, as well as community partners including the school board,” said Zwiers.

“Ontario Works is slated to move in during August, followed by the school board, and then the move-in of the residential tenants is expected in September or October.”

Zwiers added there is still a wait list for both buildings.

With her sights on the future now that she has a more secure living situation, Amber hopes she can start working on getting custody of her five-year-old son, Caleb.

“I could have gone to try to get him back a year ago, but because we didn’t have the proper living situation, I couldn’t even try,” she said. “Now that we’re in the proper living space, it’s possible to do so.”

“We finally have something big in order,” she added with a smile.

For more information on how to apply for affordable housing through the County of Simcoe, click here.