Ritson School Project continues to make progress

Whitby, Ontario – An update on the Ritson School Project was presented to Regional Council on June 26.

The update included a Community Needs Assessment, which was prepared by Smart Density and LURA Consulting. The assessment highlighted the following key considerations:

• New affordable and market housing, including one and two-bedroom units, as well as support programs.
• Child care, educational, training or recreational programs, as well as services for youth and sole-caregiver families.
• Opportunities for on-site public open space.

Regional Council approved a Request for Expression of Interest to be released. This will gauge developer interest in the development and property management of the first phase of this project. The Request for Expression of Interest will be shared publicly. 

To guide how the site should develop, Development Principles were created. The Development Principles include affordable housing creation, urban design, public open space, phasing, placemaking, heritage preservation and climate resiliency.

Community engagement is a key element of the Ritson School Project and there will be additional public engagement opportunities, including a second public survey that will be released this summer.

The Ritson School Project is an opportunity to create a vibrant community that is inclusive, connected and age-friendly, with a mix of housing options.

For more information about the Ritson School Project, including details on the Development Principles and Community Needs Assessment report, visit durham.ca/RitsonSchool.

Quick facts:

• Regional Council endorsed a Master Housing Strategy in November 2020. One component of the Strategy is to identify development opportunities, incentives and partnerships to increase the supply of affordable, community, supportive and transitional housing across the region. The Master Housing Strategy includes a commitment to review public lands and their potential social and community benefits. The Strategy aims to improve affordability and access to housing with and without supports, protect the existing affordable housing supply, encourage housing diversity, and build capacity in the housing system.
• The Region of Durham purchased the Ritson School site from the Durham District School Board and took possession on January 26, 2022.
• The site includes a former elementary school building that operated until 2012. The school building was originally built in 1923 and expanded in 1928.
• The Ritson Public School is designated as a site of cultural heritage value or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

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