A new name, a new partner, and a clear path to affordable housing in Prince Edward County. All part of the new plan for Pinecrest Housing.

The project formerly known as LoveSong Seniors’ Housing and Community Hub at the former Pinecrest elementary school in Bloomfield will still create a 50-55 unit seniors’ housing complex. It includes space for community partners, doctors’ offices, and outdoor recreational space. But that is just Phase One.

PLAN TO SUCCEED- Pinecrest Housing board member John Uings speaks to the municipal planning committee. (Submitted Photo)

Organizers are teaming up with Springdale Developments to advance additional development plans, a varied housing matrix surrounding this central hub. Phase Two will see over a 100 units on the site’s southern green space. The additional build will be open to a wide range of demographics.

Donna Rodgers, Pinecrest Board member, explained the name change from Lovesong.

“‘Pinecrest’ is instantly recognizable to literally thousands of people within the County; several generations of children were educated in the school, which existed for over fifty years,” she said. The group has also taken the term ‘seniors’ out of the name and replaced it with ‘all people’.

“The transformation of the school into affordable housing units for seniors will, of course, continue, but additional housing within the grounds can now be designed and constructed to meet the needs of other demographics.”

“The Pinecrest/Springdale team are now focused on overcoming the challenges associated with obtaining the $14 million funding required to start the construction work and transform the building into affordable housing units,” said Ms. Rodgers.

In a shrewd financial move, Pinecrest won approval at Council’s Planning Committee last week to sever the site into three parcels, one containing the school building, one to the south, and another to the north. Having three land parcels rather than just one will allow the project to access more funds through the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation.

Pinecrest Board Member John Uings noted that CMHC advised that if the lot is not severed, Phase One funding will be secured against the entire property, increasing the difficulty of obtaining funding for Phase 2. CMHC would be reluctant to provide a second loan for Phase Two if it would also need to be secured against the same property. Severing creates more properties, allowing for another secured loan — or two.

“This rationale equally applies to the funding which will eventually be needed for Phase Three on the land to the north of the school. The CMHC preferred requirement for only one loan agreement to be secured against a lot is the only reason the severance application has been submitted,” said Mr. Uings.

In order to access CMHC funding, the organizers needed to team up with a developer. That is Springdale. Pinecrest board member Ken How said Springdale’s work in the Quinte region on affordable, attainable housing projects is exemplary.

“When you look at what Springdale has done with the Great St. James St. development and their work in North Hastings, they really understand what the Pinecrest project is all about and our visions on this project align,” said Mr. How.

Pinecrest’s Phase One could welcome its first group of residents by January 2025.