Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes hosted an event to officially break ground on its latest housing initiative on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
“It’s a little surreal,” said Laurie Macintyre, Executive Director of Jaycees Homes. “This has been a hypothetical thing for almost five years but I’m super excited and I can see it.”
The four-storey mixed-used building will feature 24 affordable long-term permanent housing units that are specifically dedicated to women and women-led families and will be located in the downtown core, at 32 Bridge Street.
Macintyre said that with a mix of bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, as well as a social enterprise laundromat café and a community hub, the building is designed to be a space where women-led families can prosper.
“This is going to be a place that will soon provide safe, affordable housing for women and women-led families in our community. 32 Bridge Street is not just a building, but a home that fosters dignity, safety and community,” explained Macintyre. “Today is kind of the official beginning of construction, although you can see it’s already begun, but it’s also the beginning of something much bigger; it’s a future where women and their families have the foundation they need to thrive.”
Macintyre explained that at a time where there is a housing and homelessness crisis going on not only in the city, but throughout the country, having access to affordable housing can make a world of a difference.
“You can drive anywhere in any city and see that we are in a crisis,” she said. “And women have extra barriers because a lot of times they may be actually living in hidden homelessness, which means they’re in a situation where they’re still at home but they need to leave… or they have left an abusive situation and have to start over. Income is not equitable when you’re talking about men and women, and so starting over can be very difficult and having a place that you can live affordably can be the only way you can start over.”
Councillor Mandy Samwell, Chair of Brantford’s Social Services Committee, pointed out that it was certainly fitting to celebrate the groundbreaking on that specific day.
“Today on International Women’s Day, we are not just breaking ground, we’re making history. It could not be more fitting that on a day dedicated to celebrating the strength and resilience and achievements of women, we are taking this monumental step towards building a future where women and women-led families have security, opportunity and the support they deserve,” said Councillor Mandy Samwell, Chair of Brantford’s Social Services Committee. “…To those who will live here one day, know that you’re not just moving into a building; you’re becoming part of a community that’s ready to stand by you. This is a place of strength, connection and possibility. This is just the beginning of a new chapter where community, care and potential will flourish, strengthening the foundation of our city for years to come.”
Mary Musson, Brantford’s Senior Director of Community Services and Social Development, also congratulated Macintyre and the team for all their hard work and perseverance.
“Laurie and I have been working together on trying to get to this day for quite some time now, three years, at least, if not more,” she said. “I do have to really commend Laurie and the board of directors for their tenacity in pursuing this development. It has been a very long road. For anyone who’s ever tried to build housing and to develop, there are so many layers and levels of government and trying to get funding for housing development is very difficult, but Laurie and Jaycees have been able to do it.”
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to increase access to affordable housing, a pilot program will be providing a $1.5 million subsidy to Jaycees over the next ten years.
In a statement released by the City, Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford, emphasized the importance of this initiative.
“As housing challenges continue to impact our community, we know we have to think of more innovative solutions to expedite housing builds for those in need,” said Davis. “By supporting Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes in their mission to build affordable housing, we are making a meaningful investment in our community’s future and taking another crucial step toward ensuring that families have access to a safe and affordable home.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
