New Affordable Housing in Morrisburg Helps More Families Find a Place to Call Home

Morrisburg is starting a new chapter this week with the official opening of Morris Glen, an affordable housing development that’s already welcoming residents into their new homes. Thanks to a partnership between the City of Cornwall, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG Counties), and the Government of Ontario, more individuals and families in our region now have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

The newly completed Morris Glen offers 17 units in total — 12 rent-geared-to-income and five at market rates — creating a mix that supports a diverse group of tenants and reflects the broader needs of the community. With its location close to grocery stores, medical services, and other essential amenities, Morris Glen is designed to make life easier for residents. Importantly, four of the units are barrier-free, giving people with mobility challenges the opportunity to live comfortably and independently.

Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund played a key role in making Morris Glen a reality, investing nearly $1.7 million to support this project as part of its focus on longer-term housing solutions for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Ontario’s Minister of Housing, Rob Flack, highlighted the project’s impact, saying, “We are proud to support incredible partners like the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry with their efforts to develop affordable housing in their region. Morris Glen will offer dignity and independence to the many residents who will soon call it home, positioning them for life-long success.”

Locally, leaders see this as a critical step toward tackling the ongoing housing crisis. Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, noted, “The opening of Morris Glen marks a pivotal moment for housing in Morrisburg and across South Dundas. Through this critical partnership, our government is ensuring access to safe and affordable homes so that families and residents in SDSG can have a place to build strong, happy, and healthy futures.”

This project also fits into the larger regional strategy. Last year, the City of Cornwall completed a Community Housing Development Plan to map out opportunities on municipally held land across SDG Counties. The goal is clear: continue to build a housing system that works for everyone, guided by a 10-year housing and homelessness plan.

Justin Towndale, Mayor of Cornwall, emphasized how urgent the need still is. “At a time when the need for housing is so great, the completion of additional housing projects remains a top priority for the City of Cornwall as the service delivery manager for the region. These units will provide affordable and secure housing for our region’s most vulnerable.”

For SDG Counties, Morris Glen represents meaningful local progress. Martin Lang, Warden of SDG Counties, said, “The opening of Morris Glen marks a significant step forward in our commitment to housing solutions across SDG Counties. Projects like this demonstrate what’s possible when all levels of government work together to address a shared challenge. Affordable, accessible housing is a critical part of building healthy, sustainable communities and Morris Glen shows that progress is not only possible, it’s happening right here in our region.”

And for the municipality of South Dundas, the project has been deeply personal. Jason Broad, Mayor of South Dundas, captured that sentiment: “Morris Glen is more than a building; it’s a reflection of our community’s values. We’ve worked hard to ensure this project meets the unique needs of Morrisburg and South Dundas, and I’m proud to see new residents moving into safe, quality homes they can afford. This is local action with lasting impact, and it sets the tone for how we tackle housing challenges moving forward.”

As residents continue to move in and make Morris Glen their own, it stands as a hopeful sign of what’s possible when municipalities, counties, and the province pull together to address one of today’s most pressing issues. It’s a small but significant step toward building communities where everyone truly has a place to call home.