The United Counties of Prescott and Russell are adding $500,000 to Budget 2026 to remove asbestos from the social housing building at 810 Portelance Street in Hawkesbury, which was severely damaged by a fire in November. The insurance covers repairs to the ground floor, but not asbestos removal on the upper floors. The building, built in 1976, remains unoccupied. The UCPR has yet to decide whether it will be renovated or demolished.