THUNDER BAY — The federal and Ontario governments have announced $1.6 million in funding to support the construction of a 14-unit affordable housing complex in the city.
The two-storey walk-up apartment building will be located at 310 Archibald Street South, and will be designated for individuals with disabilities, people with mental health or addictions issues, and those experiencing homelessness.
It will include seven accessible units on the main floor, with amenities including street parking and space for accessible vehicles to pick up tenants in front of the building.
The property is centrally located, with services nearby including pharmacy, grocery stores, and health and social services agencies.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski and Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland were joined at a sod-turning ceremony Monday morning by representatives of the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and Northern Linkage Community Housing and Support Services.
The funding comes from the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative, which provides money to repair, regenerate and expand community housing, or to support community housing providers whose original program arrangements are about to expire.
Northern Linkage is a non-profit organization that supplies housing to low-income individuals including those from marginalized groups.
Executive director Luca Loffredo said the government funding allows the $2.5 million Archibald Street project go go ahead.
"It wasn't viable. With interest rates getting so high, with the price of construction it wasn't possible to bring this forward. We've been working on this project for a couple of years. The Thunder Bay DSSAB gave us the call and said we've got the money, [so] we're here, we're going to dig. This housing is much-needed," Loffredo said.
Mayor Ken Boshcoff, chair of the TBDSSAB board, expressed thanks to the two governments, saying the project will make a tremendous difference in the lives of its future tenants as well as the community at large.
"There is a great demand for accessible units, and we are so pleased that Northern Linkage has the needs of our community at heart with their vision," Boshcoff stated.
