Converting a community church into affordable housing
Most people don’t associate stained glass windows and a sanctuary with affordable housing. But, an innovative organization that creates housing communities for people at risk of homelessness is doing just that with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener — thanks to an impact investment from Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF).
Indwell, a Christian charity based in Hamilton, has created affordable housing units and supportive programs for more than 600 tenants across southern and southwestern Ontario. It has been talking about coming to Waterloo Region for a number of years, waiting for the right time and opportunity. When St. Mark’s Lutheran Church became available, the organization purchased it with assistance through a $1.025 Million, three-year secured loan from WRCF.
“The impact loan from WRCF allowed us to remove the financial condition on our offer to purchase St. Mark’s and enabled us to buy the property and begin our journey here in Waterloo Region,” says Mark Willcock, Indwell’s Community Engagement Coordinator. “Our goal is to continue to build capacity for affordable housing in Waterloo Region. This is just the beginning.”
The project at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church — the first time Indwell will retrofit a church — will include community space and approximately 40 permanent units of affordable housing for people who are at high risk of homelessness.
In addition to the housing units, Indwell will offer a high level of support to residents, including addiction support, nursing care, mental health assistance, food security, a program manager who runs the building, and a number of different activities depending on community needs.
Now that Indwell has purchased the property, the organization is launching a capital campaign to fund the construction, ongoing programs, and overall project. It believes the impact investment will help with the next stage of the project.
“This impact investment not only helped us purchase the property, but shows we have investment in the local community already – which will be a springboard for further investment from the region,” says Willcock.
Construction will start in 2021, with occupancy expected in 2022. Indwell plans to keep the original footprint of the building, and to reuse as many elements as possible in the new site, such as the stained-glass windows. The building will also be highly energy efficient. It will be built to Passive House standards which significantly reduces green house gas emissions while also drastically reducing utility costs.
“It’s not just that our apartments are deeply affordable, but that by reducing our carbon footprint, we can keep the cost of utilities low and consistent for our tenants,” says Willcock.
In the future, Indwell aims to build capacity for 150 units of affordable housing in the region, and is so appreciative for the support from WRCF for this first project.
“Without this impact investment from WRCF, we wouldn’t have been able to purchase St. Mark’s,” says Willcock. “Aside from the financial support, WRCF is a wonderful organization to work with, and we would recommend that other organizations consider applying for an impact investment.”
To learn more about Indwell and the project, including how to provide support - please visit www.indwell.ca/projects/st-marks-lutheran-church. If you would like to learn more about partnering with WRCF to make impact investments, including establishing your own Donor Advised Fund – Invested for Impact, contact Dan Robert at dan@wrcf.ca or 519-725-1806 x 205.
Note: This story was written prior to Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation and Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation unifying to become Waterloo Region Community Foundation. Although the story was created by KWCF, we have updated the organization name to WRCF throughout the story.