NEW.BRUNSWICK (CBC) - Fredericton's Non-profit Housing Corp. is trying to acquire a 19th-century home in the city's downtown to use as affordable housing.

Turner House, built on York Street more than 120 years ago, is owned by St. Paul's United Church and is slated for demolition, after the city granted permission to the church to demolish the building earlier this year.

Local developer Eldon Toner said he is asking the city to re-zone the land Turner House is located on so it can be renovated into four affordable housing units.

Toner said he won't be presenting a formal proposal to the church or its congregation until the city approves the zoning. The city will be hearing that application in two weeks.

It will be church members that make the final decision about whether the project will go ahead, said Bill McNamara, spokesman with St. Paul's.

McNamara said he doesn't expect many members will be concerned about the property being used for affordable housing but some may not like the idea of leasing it.

"It would tie up the property for the time represented by the lease," he said, "and I think that could be a major objection by some church members."

The home's proximity to the church means that if it is not demolished any future development at St. Paul's would likely have to be put on hold, McNamara said.

If the project goes ahead, Toner said, he could start the renovation work by September.

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