Renfrew Rotary Club

Renfrew Rotary Club History

In Renfrew, the members gave consideration to a number of different proposals but it was not until S. Murray Chown, Q. C. came up with a vision for assisting pensioners with housing costs., that the Club knew that it has found its project.

A needs survey was taken and it determined that there was, indeed, a real need given the many people who were trying to survive on inadequate pensions.

Murray Chown undertook much of the leg work. He visited government-build housing projects and found that they worked well and seniors were benefiting greatly.

The key to being able to fund low cost housing was to get an architect to design houses which were compact, comfortable, large enough for two people and yet not too expensive to build and maintain. A six month search led the Rotary Club to Dr. A. J. Hazelgrove of Ottawa who developed plans which were subsequently approved by Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

In order to raise funds, a limited company, Renfrew Rotary Homes Ltd., was formed with Mr. Chown as it?s President and Morgan Keddie was the Secretary - Treasurer. Walter Jessup, T. P. Armatage, Sid Pottinger, Cam Simpson and L. J. Fraser were the directors.

Shares were issued and sold mainly to Rotary members and $7,500. was raised within three weeks. An additional $1,200. was needed and was quickly acquired without difficulty.

Six lots were purchased. The Town of Renfrew waived taxes in return for 20% of the rental fees and an agreement was struck allowing the Town to purchase the entire project when the mortgage was paid off, for $8,700, which represented the Club?s original investment.

Construction began in June of 1956 and the first tenants moved in on May 1, 1957. The rent was set by CMHC at $39. but the Club subsidized $2. of that amount. In order to qualify you had to be a couple over the age of 65 and your monthly income could not be more than $222.

The Rotary Homes? project attracted wide interest internationally with inquiries coming from Toronto, the U.S.A., South America and Australia among others interested in establishing similar housing.

Rotary Homes continue to the present day as part of our community and continue to provide low cost housing for seniors. The Rotary Club is still administering the homes and recently they have entered into discussions with the Town of Renfrew to continue to provide Rotary leadership into the future.

CLUB PRESIDENTS

Meets Tuesdays, 12:10 P.M.
The Knights Of Columbus Hall
313 Raglan Street South, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada K7V 1R6