The Clarence Creek Lions Club Villa is being added to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell’s (UCPR) public housing properties.

On September 24, UCPR council adopted a bylaw making the acquisition of the facility official.

The development, which was previously operated by a not-for-profit board affiliated with the Clarence Creek Lions Club, will be acquired by the UCPR no later than February 2026 at a cost of $1.3 million.

In 2024, the Lions Club expressed interest in selling the property. Months of discussions between the club and the UCPR Department of Social Services and Housing followed. The cost of the property is being financed through a combination of grant funding from the Ontario government and the use of UCPR reserve funds.

According to a report presented to council by Director of Social Services and Housing Sylvie Millette, the acquisition of the project ensures the long-term preservation of affordable units in the context of the housing crisis and provides the department with the flexibility to eventually convert affordable units into subsidized units in order to meet the service level required by the province.

In 2024, the Service Manager’s Annual Report demonstrated a shortfall of 98 public housing units in the UCPR out of a total of 682 subsidized units. In addition to maintaining affordable housing, future households will be selected from the centralized waiting list, thereby increasing the number of subsidized units and helping to achieve the provincial service level requirement of 682 subsidized units.

The acquisition of the Villa in Clarence Creek also helps fulfil the goals of the UCPR’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan and the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

“The acquisition of the Villa is a golden opportunity for us to maintain affordable housing and ensuring the residents of the 14 units are not disrupted,” Millette said.

The Nation Mayor Francis Brière remarked that it would cost about five times more to build 14 completely new housing units.

New pavement for the parking lot at the facility will likely be required in 2029 and a new septic system is likely to be installed in 2030. Both projects are estimated to cost a total of $814,500.