The Mayor of Port Hawkesbury hopes everyone is really excited about the possibility of a new 55-unit housing development.

The Town is proposing to sell the land, where the former Port Hawkesbury Arena and Kinsmen Club were, to a developer New Dawn Enterprises and the not-for-profit At Home Housing Association to build it.

The affordable housing development is pending the success of the application process and funding through federal programs.

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton says if the project does not succeed, they will keep trying with other partners, but she remains hopeful.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful, addition to the town, and in order for us to grow our population, we need roofs over heads,” she shared.

“Fifty-five new housing units, it’s no small deal. It’s actually amazing news, and I hope everybody is really excited about this.”

The Strait Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that businesses have trouble retaining and attracting staff because of housing shortages, according to the mayor.

“We still need lots of housing all across the housing spectrum for students, seniors, low-income families [and] workers,” said Chisholm-Beaton.

She says New Dawn Enterprises have worked with the Town in prior partnerships, including the creation of a housing strategy, so they’re very familiar with the Town’s housing needs, including affordable and accessible housing.

There’s a public hearing by the Town happening on February 17 at 6pm at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.