Deer Lake Mayor Dean Ball speaks during Monday evening’s public meeting of council at the town hall.
Council and staff met with the organization about a couple of months ago, and the request has been made for a piece of land to be donated to build affordable housing. It was approved during Monday evening’s public meeting by council to take a closer look at the request and see if it is feasible to allow the project to happen.
Deer Lake Mayor Dean Ball — as did several other members of council — offered their support to the project publicly. The organization prefers to build duplexes rather than single units, noted the mayor, and one way for the project to get the go ahead is for the town to donate a parcel of land. There could be other avenues to explore, such as a private donation of land, it was noted.
There are currently eight pieces of land, which are in arrears, and would be auctioned by the town if unresolved. This avenue, as opposed to a parcel of already owned property, likely would cost the town money, according to council. Coun. Kerry Jones said it was important for council to get all details, including any costs, before making a commitment.
With volunteers participating in this community build, several members of council agreed it would be a great project for the town.
The provincial chapter of Habitat for Humanity is currently working on such a project in Corner Brook. City council agreed to donate a parcel of land on Petries Street more than two years ago, but a cost of more than $33,000 to connect water and sewer to the property initially slowed the process. Council denied a request to service the land at the city’s expense, but the organization planned to proceed.
The official signing off on the ownership of the land was supposed to have occurred last week, and exact plans on proceeding with recruiting a family and securing additional community supports is expected to follow soon.
