Current River Candidate Proposes Co-op Housing Development

THUNDER BAY –  Claudio Monteleone is proposing a new co-operative housing development to be located on the old Port Arthur General Hospital parking lot. Monteleone strongly believes that he can make this project a reality if he is elected.

“Our community is in much need of affordable housing”, stated Monteleone. “There are many families in the city who are struggling with paying high rents. They have to choose between putting enough food on the table or to pay their heating bill. Our society deserves much better.”

Monteleone says that he has been an advocate and supporter in the fight against poverty for a number of years now. He believes that this project could see as much as 30 new homes for low income families in our community.

“It has been more than 30 years since any co-operative housing has been built in Thunder Bay,” commented Monteleone.  “Co-operative housing allows a family to have and live in an affordable home and pay into the ownership of the house. It also distills the feeling of dignity and pride to the families as they know they actually have an opportunity to own their home rather than paying rent and not ever having a say in their community”.

Along with the co-op housing, Monteleone also believes the location is ideal for a smaller community centre, community gym, a playground for the residents and new community policing centre.

Monteleone states, “I believe that a community is more than just a roof over the heads of people. It is about the quality of life. Children need a place to learn, live and play. Families deserve to live in a safe and quiet neighbourhood. Building this type of positive development will create a community that is safe, caring and allows the people to work together to build a quality of life which we also deserve and should have.”

Monteleone says that he has already started reaching out to various community organizations and is now at the initial stages of the planning. Monteleone believes that he can make this development a real reality within the next five years.

Monteleone concludes, “The key is that the community has a strong will to make positive things happen. I believe that we have many great people in our city that can make good things happen. We all just need to work together.”