Oxford County and Afro-Caribbean Business Network break ground on new affordable housing development

Ryan Knight from the Afro-Caribbean Network and Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan hold photos of a new affordable housing project in Woodstock on the grounds of Bethany Lutheran Church. (Lee Griffi Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

Oxford County and the Afro-Caribbean Business Network officially broke ground yesterday on a new affordable housing development at 175 Springbank Avenue North in Woodstock. The development is on the grounds of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Members of the Afro-Caribbean Business Network (ACBN), project partners, and others gathered recently to break ground on construction of the 45-unit residential apartment building, which will include 23 affordable housing units dedicated to supporting seniors, single women, and women with children.

ACBN board member Ryan Knight was able to connect with the church to kickstart the project.

“I know they had been working on plans to do affordable housing, so they were looking for a partner that could help with the funding side. With us being a non-profit that has worked with different levels of government, whether it's the CMHC, the province, or a city, we had that template.”

Founded in 2017, ACBN is a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs of African and Caribbean heritage across Canada. Knight added the county and City of Woodstock were very receptive, something which helped the project proceed.

“In other cities, you know, sometimes you get friction from residents. Being able to execute it here, we can show that it can be done. We're not going to disrupt the town. We actually want to add value. So, this is going to be a great template for us.”

The church property contains a large property, something Knight said should help other places of worship consider similar projects.

“We could look at other churches and ask if they have extra space as well? Being able to show them this project and say this is how much space is needed. If you have it, you might as well start the process and see if you can add affordable housing to the community.”

Knight explained without collaboration from everyone involved, a project like this one would never happen. He added he and his organization have worked hard to build trust with other community partners.

“I think a lot of organizations, especially in our community, are hesitant to trust. When you can show that trust can build massive projects like this, it then reduces people's guard. Let's put their guard down. Reach out to your local community and see how you can work with them. Whatever the idea is, let's put it all on the table, because at least it's showing us almost anything's possible.”

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan said the county can’t be a part of housing projects without partners such as the ACBN.

“We have to invest in the entire continuum of housing. Along with that, there are partners who are going to say we are going to come and we are going to make this work. The county provides land and money, but it doesn’t happen without a partner like the one we have here today.”

He added the project will provide shelter to those most in need, including women attempting to escape gender-based or intimate partner violence.

“This project will allow those people a new opportunity to escape that. But again, without the cooperation of the Afro-Caribbean Business Network, we wouldn’t be here. We need to applaud members of the community who, for no profit, step forward and say we are going to make this happen.”

Oxford County is supporting the project through the provision of shovel ready land, a $1.2 million capital contribution, and development charge exemptions. Joint funding for the project of $1.11 million is being contributed from the Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) and the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) funds to support 11 of the 23 affordable units.

Occupancy is anticipated to begin in the spring or summer of 2028.