SD&G to spend $18,000 to have someone move to county

The United Counties of SD&G administration building at 26 Pitt Street in Cornwall, Ont. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

SD&G – In the midst of a housing crisis, the United Counties of SD&G is prepared to spend up to $18,000 to entice someone from outside the region to move here.

It’s part of a video and writing contest called “Date My County,” which will see SD&G pay up to $1,500 a month for rent or towards a mortgage for one year of accommodation.

As part of the grant, the winner will be required to write articles and be a “brand ambassador” for the county. They have to live in SD&G for 12 consecutive months between November 2022 and January 2024.

The county says it hopes the money will encourage young families to move to an area that has “some of the most affordable” housing costs in Canada, hundreds of jobs and a great living experience.

The average home price in the region at the end of June was nearly $441,000, a nearly 25 per cent increase from the same period last year, according to the the Cornwall and District Real Estate Board.

In September 2021, county council heard from the Dundas County Housing Initiative that the area was already dealing with a lack of affordable housing.