County of Lambton building in Wyoming. (BlackburnNews.com File Photo by Briana Carnegie)County of Lambton building in Wyoming. (BlackburnNews.com File Photo by Briana Carnegie)
Sarnia

County Approves $40M For Social Housing

Lambton County will provide $40-million over the next ten years to improve social housing.

County council approved a ten-Year Capital Asset Management and Funding Plan in Wyoming Wednesday, which will allocate $4-million each year beginning in 2016.

General Manager of Social Services Margaret Roushorne says their 830 units, 43 years old on average, need some improvements to withstand future use.

"We'd be looking at structural repairs to the buildings. Things like balconies, masonry work, that type of thing," she says. "Looking at our systems, so if we needed to replace heating, boilers, flooring throughout. Looking at unit interiors as well in terms of regeneration."

Roushorne stresses there are no immediate health and safety issues pressing at the 23 buildings, which houses approximately 1,500 residents.

Funds will be allocated at minimal impact to the county's levy, and is subject to council's annual budget process.

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