Former Tim Hortons in Chticamp now serving up rental accommodations

Aformer Tim Hortons location in Chticamp, N.S., that was vacant for years is being transformed into an apartment complex.

The propertywas called an eyesore by many, including the deputy warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness, Alfred Poirier.

Poirier, who is also the municipal councillor for the area, said the apartment building is much needed.

"Before, you used to have too many homes for not enough people [in the community]," he said. "Now, we're too short on housing and have people who want to live and work here."

Poirier said the housing crisishas kept people from moving to the community, citing a nurse who worked in Chticampbut moved because she couldn't find a home to stay in.

Gerard Lefort of Hammonds Plains Lifestyle purchased the property andJoey Poirier Construction Ltd. is fixing it up.

Work on the building included ripping the existing structure down to the bare-bones and adding a second level.

The building will be able to house four seniors, and the first tenants are expected to move in by October.

Lefort said one building will not fix the housing issue, but it will transform an unused space into a new community development.

"This is freeing up some, a little bit of real estate for four [people] to live in," he said. "It isn't gonna solve the problem. No, this is only only the start. But somebody had to start, so we chose to do it," Lefortsaid.