THUNDER BAY — The federal government is providing an additional $4.8 million towards two affordable housing buildings on Huron Avenue.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu made the announcement last week at the North End Community Centre. The funding is part of $262 million to help build 691 new homes in northern and Indigenous communities across the province.
The money slated for the Huron Avenue project is for two 12-unit apartment buildings, operated by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS). Construction began with nearly $4 million from the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative.
The $4.8 million announced last week is through the Affordable Housing Fund.
Hajdu said 70 projects across Northern Ontario will receive funding as part of the $262 million, with many of them in First Nations communities and other smaller communities.
Communities where it may not seem like there is a homelessness problem “but many times that lack of affordable housing leads people to very difficult circumstances," said Hajdu. "And this money is going to support smaller communities to build units that are affordable and available immediately.”
In regards to the Huron Avenue buildings, Hajdu said that project is a successful model of ensuring not-for-profit organizations like OAHS has additional supports to add affordable units.
“We’re willing to work with any partner that wants support to solve this problem and there is room to do that at every level,” said Hajdu.
Communities with housing projects also seeing funding include Pikangikum, Neskantaga, Marten Falls and Wunnumin Lake First Nations.
“Oftentimes people have to leave their communities because housing is just not available,” said Hajdu. “I've heard stories as Minister of Indigenous Services with people sharing homes up to 15 or even more people in a house and it's hard to imagine what that's like. The residents have told me it's even hard for babies to sleep. So this is a way for communities to build the housing that they need much more quickly.”
A full list of projects can be found here.