Habitat for Humanity proposes affordable housing build on Church Street

The Town of Greater Napanee Council convened on the evening of Dec. 9 to discuss an array of issues. Among the topics of discussion was a new venture brought forward by Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region (HFHKLR).

Gary Lees, CEO of HFHKLR outlined a clear course toward building more affordable housing in Greater Napanee. This includes the opening of a ReStore in spring 2026. The store, described by Lees as a “social entity,” will fuel new, affordable builds throughout the community.

The concept includes a stacked, six-unit triplex on Church Street.

Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit that has been around since 1994, aims to help families achieve homeownership.

As per Lees, the local chapter of the non-profit has helped 25 families find safe, decent, and affordable homes in Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox, and Addington.

“We know that when we put a roof over a family's head, everybody thrives,” said Lees. “It gives families a sense of hope and belonging.”

There are myriad benefits to the ReStore opening in Napanee. Not least of which, the store will require two full-time employees and six part-time ones, as per Lees. It will also be a sustainable hub by saving goods from the landfill, funding new, affordable builds, and offering affordable home improvement options.

The majority of items for sale will be furniture from both individuals and big box stores. They will also sell cabinets, appliances, décor, and lighting.

“We take the revenue from the store and pump it into the community via home building projects,” explained Lees. “If we don’t have federal funding, we still exist. We still build homes.”

Presenting what appears to be a win-win situation for the Town, Lees did have several requests.

HFHKLR is requesting that the cost to bring municipal services to the proposed affordable housing on Church Street be absorbed by the municipality, potential flow through municipal funding, and that $50,000 from each unit be invested in future housing. Lees also asked that HFHKLR be exempt from development charges, impost taxes/fees, and building permit fees. Council voted to recieve the deputation and directed staff to explore the feasibility of the proposal.