Grand Opening of 174 Trillium Way officially welcomes 49 new affordable housing units to Paris

The newly opened 174 Trillium Way in Paris adds 49 affordable one- and two-bedroom units for singles, couples, small families and seniors, as part of a joint City of Brantford and County of Brant initiative to address the region’s housing needs.

Paris Independent Staff

Staff Contribution

The City of Brantford and County of Brant have officially opened 174 Trillium Way, a 49-unit affordable housing development aimed at easing the region’s growing housing crisis.

The one- and two-bedroom units are available to singles, couples, small families and seniors. The building is a key deliverable of the Mayors’ Housing Partnerships Task Force Affordable Housing Action Plan — a joint effort between the two municipalities to address what both say is an urgent need for affordable housing.

More than 1,100 households are currently on the centralized housing waitlist, with more than 65 per cent seeking one- or two-bedroom units.

Developed in partnership with Brantford Native Housing, Nova Vita and Sensity, and built by VERLY Construction Group, the net-zero energy-ready building is designed for long-term sustainability and efficiency.

“We are incredibly happy and grateful to everyone who has played a role in bringing this project to life,” said Brant County Mayor David Bailey during an official ribbon cutting ceremony held on August 13, 2025. “This marks a meaningful step forward in expanding access to affordable housing — something we know is urgently needed in our communities. Access to safe and secure housing is something that everyone deserves.”

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, who was also in attendance for the ceremony, said the development shows what can be achieved when communities work together.

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” he said. “For our new residents, this is more than just a building, it’s the foundation for a better future. I’ve heard first-hand from tenants how life-changing it is to feel secure, close to family, and able to plan rather than just survive day-to-day.”

In a joint press release issued by the City of Brantford and County of Brant, Tenants say the building is already changing lives. One resident said rent had consumed nearly all their fixed income before moving in, leaving little for food or medical needs. Another, identified as Gord, said high rent and utility costs, combined with health issues and personal loss, left him “hardly getting by.”

“I have a fresh start in life and a new lease on life as they say,” Gord said. “After I got my keys, I took a moment by myself to soak it all in. It is what I needed, and it all just kind of hit me then.”

Several Brant County councillors shared congratulatory messages after Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting. Ward 5 Coun. Christine Garneau took to social media where she said finding suitable sites for similar projects remains challenging due to servicing and density requirements but added the project shows what can be accomplished when the two municipalities work together. Despite challenges, the county will continue to look for solutions, said Garneau.

“Congratulations to everyone who was involved in this project. Welcome home, residents!”

The project was approved in March 2022 and is one of several collaborative builds planned under the Affordable Housing Action Plan.

More information about eligibility and the centralized housing waitlist is available at brantford.ca/housing.