June 12, 2023
Story and photograph by: Tim FitzGerald
Matt Bowen - seen left above- is the CEO of the Haldimand Norfolk Housing Authority.
By the numbers: They are the largest housing provider in Norfolk County - 413 units owned, 128 units managed for others. They are governed by 8 volunteer Board of Directors and 12 staff who have 220 years of combined experience experience - all under provincial regulations. Years ago, the Provincial Government downloaded affordable housing programmes to municipalities - along with provincial money. However, Matt explained that housing authorities need to be nimble keep up to date with both current and evolving regulations as they come online. Falling short of the regulations ultimately falls upon the municipality and hence the ratepayers. If your population grows, then so must the municipalities affordable housing inventory.
Matt Bowen and his team are proud of their delivery. Their housing is occupied 50% by younger families, 19% seniors (> 60 yrs). Currently 90 % of their inventory is "geared to income" rent but the regulations are evolving toward affordable housing models.
Key performance indicators:
Move out rate 9%
Rent collected 99.4%
Occupancy 99.5%
Time to repair 4.8 days vs provincial target of 7
Move out rate 9%
Rent collected 99.4%
Occupancy 99.5%
Time to repair 4.8 days vs provincial target of 7
Challenges - some of their housing inventory handed down from the provincial government is now 50 years old. What to do? - when such inventory units are sold they then provide funds for new investments in mixed unit housing. They ha authority is near final approval for a five story investment in Dunnville and they are working with developers in Waterford.