Steady progress is being made on the Affirmative Ventures Association’s Main Street Centre project, which is located in the middle of Dartmouth’s Village-on-Main District.
This innovative mixed-income / mixed-use affordable housing project includes 45 residential units on 5 residential floors over two ground floor social enterprises (Pet Stuff on the Go and anew “AV Café”) and a community training centre located on the bottom floor at the back of the building.
Housing units will be reserved for Affirmative Ventures’ clients and seniors.
Planning for the Main Street Centre commenced three years ago, starting with a visioning process to identify housing needs and further developing the Affirmative Ventures community based mental health model.
This work was followed by creating the development lot, site massing, schematics, planning approvals and on-going efforts to keep the project financially viable.
In December 2021, Affirmative Ventures applied for financing via CMHC’s Co-investment Fund with partner support from Housing Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Community Foundation and others.
An energy plan, social outcomes framework and project plan have been drafted. Detailed design is expected to commence in March with construction starting in early summer.
Designed by harvey ARCHITECTURE, the Main Street Centre is an independent living facility for mental health consumers and seniors, complementing Affirmative Ventures’ existing transitional and supportive housing options.
The Affirmative Ventures Association was formed in 1991. It owns and operates six social enterprises and is a leader in the provision of community-based mental health supports.
