THUNDER BAY, ON – REAL ESTATE — Eight units of affordable housing in Thunder Bay were officially opened today in an event that brought all three levels of government to the celebration.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, on behalf of the Honourable Chris Ballard, Ontario’s Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, made the announcement today. Adam Vaghan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, along with Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, and Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay, also participated in the event.
The Donald Street announcement included a celebration of a number of other affordable housing initiatives in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Fort Frances and Red Lake. These developments provide 187 families in northwestern Ontario with a safe, affordable place to call home.
The 1100 Donald Street East development received $383,183 in combined federal and provincial funding through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement. The federal and provincial contributions for all eight housing developments celebrated today equal nearly $10.8 million.
Quick facts:
The following projects were also celebrated today:
- Sister Leila Greco Apartments at 300 Lillie St. in Thunder Bay, which received $6.6 million for 132 affordable housing units for seniors
- Twenty units of affordable housing at 410-412 Victoria Avenue East in Thunder Bay, which received nearly $1.5 million. Eight units are designated for persons with restricted mobility.
- Six units of affordable housing with Wahkaihganun Futures Corporation in Fort Frances, which received over $1 million for Indigenous families.
- Ten units of affordable housing for Indigenous families at 9 Millar Drive in Sioux Lookout, which received $495,914.
- Eight units of affordable housing at 277 Pearl Street in Thunder Bay, which received $383,182.
- Two units of affordable housing for Indigenous families at 14 Gustafson Crescent in Red Lake, which received $318,416.
- One unit of affordable housing for an Indigenous family at 46 Lassie Road in Red Lake, which received $131,584.
“Affordable housing is the cornerstone of healthy and safe communities. Our Government believes that all Canadians deserve access to affordable and adequate housing. These investments will help people across Northern Ontario find housing that meets their needs,” stated Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce and Labour and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“Through investments in affordable housing, our Government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Thunder Bay and in all corners of the country. We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like these,” shares Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay — Rainy River.
“Every member of our community benefits from affordable housing investments in Northwestern Ontario. When a person has a place to call home, they can focus on other aspects of their lives, making both their families and our province stronger,” states Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“Providing safe and affordable housing for those in need has been a priority in the City of Thunder Bay. The investment from the government will make a significant impact in the lives of the residents who will call these buildings home,” comments Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay.
“The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board is committed to providing good quality, well-located and affordable housing in the District of Thunder Bay. Our two new 8-unit buildings are close to the North and South downtown cores of Thunder Bay, demonstrate excellence in energy efficiency and sustainability and address the current significant need for single, non-senior affordable housing in our community,” said Bob Katajamaki, Board Chair, the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board.
