Former jail becomes latest affordable housing site

Tables seem to have turned around as a former jail for inmates awaiting trial is now set to be converted into an affordable housing project for Canadians under the low-income bracket.
 
The government has confirmed the renovation of the Downtown Eastside Remand Centre, which entails $19.4m in funds, with significant contributions from taxpayer funding last year.
 
Applications for moving in are now open for those who can meet the low-income criteria requirements. They must earn at least $26,000 per year but no more than $40,000.
 
The former cells will transform into 96 housing units, which are 80 per cent complete, Bloom Group affordable housing manager Karl Tegenfeldt said.
 
The building was erected in 1981 and was closed down in 2002.
 
"We've got some (indoor) community amenity space," Tegenfeldt was quoted saying by the Toronto Sun , speaking about the building's former interior common areas.
 
"There will be a basketball hoop, a small kitchen that can be used if somebody wanted to have a dinner party."
 
Each former cell will also have full a full kitchen with bathrooms and showers.
 
However, only 42 units are up for grabs as 16 have already been slotted to women's shelter programs and the rest will go to aboriginal youth in a trades program.
 

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