Smooth Rock Falls is postponing the development of a senior housing facility.
The town announced online Monday that after receiving proposals in February the town began negotiations through their Seniors’ Housing Committee.
Mayor Michel Arseneault says the committee recommended that the project be postponed until next year due to the concerns regarding costs.
Arseneault says town advisors projected the cost for an average 850 square foot unit would go for $1,500 a month plus heat, hydro, water and sewer.
He says the committee agrees these costs are unreasonable and unaffordable, and so the project will see an application made to the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board for a Federal and Provincial grant to help with the funding.
Arseneault says if the grants can be obtained, they are predicting the monthly rent to drop between $800 to $1,000. Something Arseneault says the committee agrees is much more reasonable.
He says the town is still anticipating the construction of a new 10-unit seniors’ residence by 2019.
