Chatham-Kent Council approved buying the former St. Ursula School in Chatham to turn it into affordable housing, but not without some opposition.
Councillors voted 11-5 on Monday night to purchase 4.44 acres at 426 Lacroix Street in Chatham from the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) for $1.7 million.
Councillor Ryan Doyle voted no, saying the municipality has already bought enough properties to address affordable housing.
The agreement still requires approval from the Board of Trustees for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, expected on November 25.
The municipality said it has already heard "strong interest" from both non-profit and private housing providers.
Administration will evaluate submissions and return to council with recommended options for redevelopment.
***Updated from November 14, 2025 CK News Today article***
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Chatham-Kent Council is being asked to approve buying the former St. Ursula School in Chatham to turn it into affordable housing.
A staff report going before councillors on Monday night recommends buying the 4.44 acres at 426 Lacroix Street in Chatham from the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) for $1.7 million.
Administration is also requesting authorization to find a contractor to demolish the entire school to prepare the site for future community housing developments and to eliminate the risks and operating costs of maintaining the existing structure.
If approved, the school purchase and demolition would be funded from the Affordable Housing Reserve through funds received from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Accelerator Fund.
Administration said this property would be an ideal location to develop housing with a combination of both affordable and attainable market rent units.
"Administration has received expressions of interest for land parcels such as this both from the private and non-profit housing sectors to develop affordable and market housing. Administration would recommend including this property in an Expression of Interest process to be able to receive proposals for housing development. These proposals would then be evaluated, and a proposal (s) would be included in recommendations to Council for redevelopment," wrote staff in the report.
Staff noted the property also has potential for more than one new affordable housing development and for more parks and recreation spaces.
If the school purchase is approved, affordable housing projects would be considered next year.
