National SPRE Accelerator 2025
Location: Kitchener, ON
Websites: https://www.theworkingcentre.org, arisearchitects.com
Contact:
Joe Mancini, Director: joe@theworkingcentre.org
Paniz Moayeri, Architect: paniz@arisearchitects.com
Mission
The Working Centre is a community-based organization with extensive experience renovating mixed-use commercial buildings with multiple services focused on supporting individuals facing unemployment, housing insecurity, and vulnerability. It creates inclusive, practical spaces that foster belonging, provide essential resources, and encourage meaningful community participation.
Arise Architects Co-operative is Ontario’s first architectural worker co-operative, specializing in socially responsible projects such as affordable housing, long-term care, and community spaces. With a collaborative team, Arise Architects Co-operative is Ontario’s first architectural worker co-operative, specializing in socially responsible projects such as affordable housing, long-term care, and community spaces. With a collaborative team, Arise partners with mission-driven organizations to deliver innovative, impact-driven architectural solutions. Arise will act as the prime consultant in the design of the project.
Project
The Working Centre is exploring socially and financially sustainable development options for two long-held properties near downtown Kitchener. The goal is to create a mixed-use model that integrates supportive and affordable housing with meaningful community spaces. At site one, currently home to one family and a community greenhouse, the vision is to intensify the site’s use through phased development. This may include new housing units and the preservation of the greenhouse as a community space, contributing to job creation, food security, and local engagement. At site two, where five single people and a house coordinator reside, the team is considering adding a four- to six-unit building, while retaining the existing house. The Working Centre aims to develop a long-term business plan informed by sustainable funding and development models, including public and private partnerships. Working Centre Outreach workers support over 200 people living rough on the street, along with many new Canadians in unstable housing who use the Job Search Resource Centre. This project will directly respond to a growing need for integrated housing and support services in Waterloo Region.
In the Accelerator, they will
Explore potential options for the development of two prospective sites to arrive at a financially and socially sustainable development model to move into formalizing after the program ends, including assessing the potential for the site to be developed, financial and political feasibility, and identifying appropriate programming.