Chatham-Kent administration is recommending council approve a $30.9-million construction contract for a new 72-unit affordable housing development in Wallaceburg.
In a report scheduled to go before council Monday, Edward Soldo, general manager of infrastructure and engineering services, recommended awarding the contract for the 199 Westcourt Blvd. project to S.E.M. Construction Limited at a cost of $30,943,118 excluding HST.
Administration is also recommending a $658,019 contract amendment for consulting and contract administration services be awarded to Barry Bryan Associates.
The proposed five-storey development would include 72 units consisting of 37 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom, five three-bedroom and five four-bedroom units. According to the report, 50 units would offer affordable or deeply affordable rents, while the remaining 22 units would be rented at attainable market rates.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said demand for affordable housing in Wallaceburg continues to grow, with 333 households on the municipality’s centralized waiting list currently seeking housing in the community.
“There has been no new Community Housing built (or MMAH program funding received) in Wallaceburg since funding was provided through the Ontario Housing Corporation in the 1980s,” the report stated.
The municipality said the centralized waiting list for affordable housing has grown to 1,455 households across Chatham-Kent.
“With a population of approximately 10,320 people, Wallaceburg is the second largest urban centre located in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent,” the report stated. “At present, 23% or at least 333 of the 1,455 current households on the waiting list are looking for units in Wallaceburg.”
The report said the development is expected to house between 122 and more than 194 residents and is intended to address housing instability while supporting long-term community growth.
According to administration, the project has secured $18.9 million in external funding through programs involving the federal and provincial governments, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Enbridge.
Council is also being asked to approve debenture financing of $13 million through the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation, amortized over 30 years, to fund the remaining balance of the project.
Soldo’s report said the request for proposals process attracted interest from 62 contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, with seven proposals submitted before one was withdrawn. Five proposals met the mandatory requirements and advanced through the evaluation process.
The report said proposals submitted by S.E.M. Construction Limited and Ball Construction Ltd. tied for the highest overall score.
“The proposal submitted by S.E.M. was deemed to be the preferred submission with the highest ranking and lowest bid price,” Soldo wrote.
Construction is expected to begin in July and continue over two years, with completion anticipated in July 2028, according to the report.
Council is is set to meet on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
