First tenants welcomed into new affordable housing at St. Mark’s Place3 min read

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A new space has opened in Kitchener to offer affordable housing and personal support for people moving out of homelessness.

The former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 825 King Street has been renovated and expanded to create 43 much-needed affordable homes, specifically for people who’ve experienced homelessness or precarious housing.

The first tenants arrived in late December to the new facility, called St. Mark’s Place. It was built by Indwell, a charity that offers affordable housing and support services.

The fully-accessible building features small, cozy apartments that rent for $550 per month. Almost all the units are for single people, and seven are barrier-free. They come with furniture and kitchen supplies. This is permanent supportive housing, so people can stay as long as they want or need. Have a look inside:

St. Mark’s Place offers support services for residents right in the building, such as cooking lessons, job search assistance and on-site health care. There are communal meals, and places for people to gather and play darts or ping pong.

The property became available after three local churches amalgamated. Before the renovations, the space was used as an emergency shelter. Some of the people who used that shelter are now back, living as tenants with their own homes.

The $16.5 million project received support from all levels of government, including $3.2 million from the Region of Waterloo. About 10 per cent of the project was funded by community donations.

“The St. Mark’s project is a wonderful example of the positive change we can create through partnerships in this community,” said Jim Erb, Regional Councillor and Chair of the Community and Health Services Committee. “This type of renewal and re-imagination is inspiring, particularly when it results in homes for our neighbours.” 

The Region of Waterloo is committed to making housing affordable for all because we believe communities thrive when everyone has a place to call home. With the need for affordable housing growing, we know we need more local solutions like St. Mark’s Place.

That’s why the Region’s Building Better Futures is working to develop 2,500 new homes over five years. Learn more here about what the Region is doing to address housing affordability and homelessness in our community.

P.S. This isn’t Indwell’s only project in Waterloo Region! They are also renovating St. Peter’s church on Queen Street in Kitchener into new affordable housing.