Common Ground Goes to Council: Our October 5, 2026 Deputation
On October 5, 2026, OVCLT President Maureen Geddes, Secretary Karen Kirkwood-Whyte and Treasurer Kim Vitek appeared before Chatham-Kent Council to support the recommendations in item #21(c) — and to show what those changes could help make possible at 10 Taylor Avenue in Chatham.
Where we started
Common Ground began with a simple idea: create safe, affordable homes where people can belong and build a better life. The original plan was for 30 small homes and a community centre, and Council supported that vision in December 2019. Since then, the project has faced many challenges, including the pandemic and the discovery that the Taylor Avenue property requires environmental cleanup before housing can be built.
We have not given up. Instead, we have changed and strengthened the plan.
Where we are today
Our new site plan uses smaller three-storey buildings with four or six homes in each. They can be built in stages, with up to 100 homes across the property when the full project is complete. That means we can start with a smaller first phase and add homes as funding becomes available — and serve many kinds of households, including working families, young people, seniors and people who need added support.
Why our land trust matters
Because OVCLT holds the land in trust, these homes stay affordable permanently. They don't lose their affordability when the first tenant moves out, or when a funding agreement runs out after 20 years. Every public dollar invested here keeps working for the next family, and the one after that.
The Taylor Avenue property already has roads, water, sewers and other services available. Cleaning it up and reusing it creates homes without pushing development onto valuable farmland. This is an environmental cleanup project, a farmland protection project and — most importantly — a community-building project.
A community effort
Ark Built Design is helping us use modern building methods that can lower long-term maintenance and energy costs. Our team took part in a full-day Enbridge Savings by Design workshop with Sustainable Buildings Canada on energy efficiency and accessibility. The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and RWDI are helping us understand the environmental work needed. NeighbourLink is working with us on supports for residents. We are exploring a partnership with Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, including possible child-care services. The Chatham-Kent Community Health Centre has provided a design for an on-site medical space. We have spoken with the Quiring Foundation and the Foundation of Hope about pathways from homelessness and recovery to stable, permanent housing. With the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, we are asking the Province to create a stream within existing legislation for rural-urban brownfield remediation for community purpose.
The problem we can solve together
In large cities, the value of the finished property often helps pay for cleanup. In communities like ours, cleanup can cost as much as — or more than — the land is worth. Common Ground and Chatham-Kent can show the Province what a solution designed for rural and small-city communities looks like.
Our three asks
(1) Approve the proposed changes to the Brownfield Community Improvement Plan, and consider bringing together key stakeholders to find efficiencies and enhance remediation capabilities across the Municipality.
(2) Direct Municipal staff to continue to work with OVCLT on a clear path forward for 10 Taylor Avenue, bringing together planning, housing, environmental work and all available municipal incentive programs.
(3) Include Common Ground in Chatham-Kent's discussions with the Province as the not-for-profit demonstration project for rural and small-city brownfield cleanup.
We did not ask Council to approve our site plan or write a blank cheque. We asked for help bringing the right people and programs together.
"We have not come this far to only come this far," Maureen told Council. "With Council's support, 10 Taylor Avenue can move from a brownfield that holds our community back to a Common Ground that helps people move forward."
Want to help? Visit our Project page to learn more, or contact us directly to partner, volunteer or donate.