The feds, the province and the city are coming together to support affordable homes in North Bay.
The $4.5 million funding, coming through the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative, will help see the development of a three-storey 60-unit affordable housing building on Brookes Street.
According to the province, it will provide Indigenous-focused housing for Indigenous households and will be developed and operated by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.
Construction is slated to start later this year.
Cathy Connor is the Senior Director of Housing Development for Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. She says it’s a tremendous opportunity to bring more affordable housing to North Bay.
“We know we cannot build alone. We need partners. We need assistance when we’re bringing up new housing and we could not have found better partners in North Bay,” she said.
The city meantime is supporting the project with up to $500,000 in financial support through the Growth Community Improvement Plan, along with tax and fees rebate up to $250,000.
According to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), planning for the site began several years ago, the Nipissing District Housing Corporation (NDHC) acquired the former Dr. MacDougall Public School property at 1040 Brookes Street. As a former school site with sufficient land and infrastructure, it was identified as a suitable location for future affordable housing development.
“In its role as the District’s Early Years and Child Care Service System Manager, DNSSAB’s Children’s Services department helped shape the project by supporting the integration of space for an Indigenous EarlyON Child and Family Centre and licensed child care, reinforcing a holistic, community-focused approach that supports children and families beyond housing alone,” DSSAB shared in a release.
DSSAB says following City approval of severance and rezoning, NDHC retained an adjacent vacant parcel of land specifically to support housing development and later made that land available to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services for an affordable housing project.
“Long-term affordability will be protected through agreements that ensure the housing remains affordable and community-serving into the future,” adds the services board.
“This project is about responding to a very real need in our community,” said Mark King, DNSSAB Board Chair. “We know that Indigenous individuals and families are disproportionately impacted by homelessness in the District, especially those living unsheltered. Supporting this housing development on a site that is closely connected to community services is an important step toward stability, dignity, and long-term housing for people who need it most. DNSSAB is proud to partner with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services on this important initiative and to support Indigenous-led solutions that strengthen our communities.”
