How a new approach to housing is redefining community and quality of life in Sarnia.

If you’ve ever moved (and let’s face it, all of us have at some point in our lives), you know it’s stressful. Finding a place you can see yourself calling home. The packing. The logistics. The move. Settling in. Finding your bearings. Creating community.

It’s a lot to take on if you’re moving to another neighbourhood. Now imagine moving to another city or country.

In the past few years, more and more people are choosing to settle in Sarnia, with many coming (or coming back) from other similar-sized Ontario cities. According to Statistics Canada, Sarnia posted a net interprovincial migration gain of +387 in 2023/2024 (after a net loss of -175 in 2022/2023).

And many of those new Sarnians are choosing to rent. Census data from 2021 shows that one in three households rent their housing. In the four years since that data was published, rental demand has exploded, especially in the mid range as affordability concerns rise.

Bonnie Hoy, owner of Bonnie Hoy & Associates, one of the largest leasing companies for Canadian landlords, can vouch for the growth. She and her team help many of those newcomers find rental homes in Sarnia. “More and more people we place are trending out of the major cities like Toronto and smaller metro areas like London, Kitchener, Milton and Hamilton. They want the city experience but with better quality of life and affordability.”

It's definitely a watershed moment of rediscovery for Sarnia. More people are coming. More people are renting. And their expectations go far beyond a lease and set of keys. They are looking for quality properties and quality of life. They want to connect to a community. They want to be somewhere where they feel they belong.

MillDon Living understands the importance of creating communities where residents feel like they belong – so much so that it has become a core principle in how it operates its properties.

MillDon owns and operates three properties in Sarnia – the iconic Kenwick downtown, the vibrant, close-knit community of Trillium Park and the serene yet walkable neighbourhood of Parkdale Manor. Since April 2024, the properties have undergone extensive improvements, from suites and common areas to landscaping and infrastructure.

But it’s not just the properties that have been revamped. It’s the whole approach to resident experience – starting with the welcome, weaving through every process and informing how each property encourages community and belonging.

“Housing, community and quality of life are deeply connected, especially in a city like Sarnia,” says Theresa Lapensée, VP Operations, MillDon Living. “I grew up here and moved back to settle with my family. Community matters a lot in Sarnia, and we want our residents to feel that sense of belonging from their first day in their new homes. Where you live shapes how you live. Right from the welcome experience on through, we are focusing on connection, belonging, warmth and simplicity to help make residents’ spaces feel like places they can call home.”

MillDon’s recent You Belong Here contest is a perfect example of that commitment in action. The goal was to introduce an innovative approach to welcoming residents focusing on enhancing their lifestyles, connecting them to community and inspiring them to dream of possibility. It was also important to help residents plant strong roots by supporting local businesses and spreading Sarnia love.

The contest’s first three prizes were incredible themed hospitality packages, featuring both established mainstays and up and coming entrepreneurs shaking up the Sarnia scene. All the prize packages were curated by team members who are “in the know,” connecting residents to the businesses that make Sarnia so special.

And the grand prize? Ten thousand dollars. Definitely a life-changing win for anyone settling into a new city or a new home.  

The Bridge Patisserie & Café generously participated in the contest, contributing a gift card to the Food & Culture prize package. Owner Rachel knows firsthand how important it is to move somewhere and feel like you belong in that city and community. In 2019, Rachel, her husband and four daughters came to Canada from Brazil. They originally settled in Moncton, New Brunswick but made their way west to Sarnia to be closer to family.

With a lifelong love for gastronomy, Rachel saw an opportunity to live her dream in Sarnia. After starting her business in her home, she now proudly has a storefront where people can come and feel at home. “When you follow your dream and bring people into what you love, you create a community. We are doing that with food, quality and care and feel so blessed because our community has embraced us with strong love. That’s why we wanted to be part of the contest. We know what it’s like to be new and we wanted our place to feel like home for someone who is getting to know the city.”

Rose was one of the first contest winners and the lucky recipient of the Food & Culture package. She had just moved to Sarnia at the end of June after two years in Kitchener. Originally from Nigeria, Rose and her partner came to Canada, so she could pursue studies in business management.

Her first visit to Sarnia was for a friend’s graduation from Lambton College. She found the city peaceful and calm and really liked the easy access to the water and nature. When it came time to start applying for jobs after graduation, Sarnia was at the top of her list. With two opportunities available to her - one out west and one in Sarnia – she chose to put down roots in Sarnia. Looking for a safe community and somewhere really nice to come home to after a stressful workday, Rose and her partner chose to settle at The Kenwick.

“The contest was a really thoughtful way to welcome people. Moving is stressful and expensive. The package we won gave us a head start in getting to know Sarnia and feeling like part of the community. We’ve been able to enjoy the city, discover new areas and experience some of the places that make Sarnia amazing. We already have a few favourites that we’ve been back to several times.”

Belonging is what turns a space into a place and a house into a home. It’s felt in how you’re welcomed and every opportunity after that to connect to your community and your city in meaningful ways. As more people settle in Sarnia, the city will continue to grow, and its character will continue to flourish. Putting belonging at the heart of rental housing will redefine how and why people choose a property, the community they build once they’re there and their overall quality of life in Sarnia.