County Set to Welcome Residents to New Transitional Housing Facility
Date: April 02, 2024
Prince Edward County is preparing to open its first-ever transitional housing facility, Leeward House, with residents expected to move in later this month.
Local officials, staff, and community partners gathered on April 2 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the property, located at 1133 County Road 5 in Sophiasburgh Ward. The event marked a major milestone in the municipality’s efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity.
Mayor Steve Ferguson described the project as an important step forward for the community, noting that the facility will provide a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness while helping to reduce pressure on emergency and community services.
Leeward House will accommodate up to nine residents, moving individuals directly from
homelessness into a supervised, congregate living setting. The facility will have on-site staff, along with programs and wraparound supports aimed at helping residents stabilize their lives and transition to permanent housing.
The building previously operated as The Maples retirement residence. After being purchased by Base31, the County entered into a 25-year lease to operate the site as a transitional housing facility. Five remaining tenants of The Maples were supported by County staff and former owners in relocating to other housing.
Operating and staffing costs will be funded through the Province of Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program, administered locally by Prince Edward–Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS). The municipality will cover the annual lease costs through a combination of provincial funding and resident rent contributions.
Earlier this year, council was informed that the municipality successfully secured two funding streams. One stream, totaling approximately $72,000, will support housing access and stabilization services, including the creation of a housing registry to help residents find and retain housing. The second stream, worth about $125,000, will fund transitional housing services at Leeward House, including on-site staffing, rental supplements, and case coordination.
Affordable Housing Supervisor Elis Ziegler noted that few facilities of this kind exist in the region, with the closest comparable services located in Belleville and Napanee. Leeward House, she said, is uniquely designed as a therapeutic and rehabilitative environment.
The name “Leeward House” was chosen to reflect protection and shelter, inspired by the County’s strong connection to wind and water.
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