THUNDER BAY – Eight low- to modest-income families will soon have an affordable place to call home.
On Friday, the Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board unveiled a pair of Coady Avenue four-plex homes, which will be assigned tthrough an application process, with monthly rent geared to their income.
Robinson Meshake, who chairs the Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation board, said the two new units will have a huge impact on the families who are chosen to live there.
“It’s very important we provide these rent-geared homes to families who are struggling to meet daily rental requirements,” Meshake said.
Meshake said providing affordable homes helps people get back on their feet and allows them to spend their meagre means on necessities like food and clothing.
It also provides stability in their lives, rather than facing uncertainty looking for a place to crash on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, and potentially helps to reduce the number of homeless people in Thunder Bay.
“They won’t have to fear where they’re going to sleep or how long they’re going to be living at a relative’s place or couch-surfing,” Meshake said.
“There’s always going to be a struggle as people relocate to the city.”
Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation operates a total of 44 units throughout Thunder Bay, the first 12 of which came online in 1996.
Bill Bradica, chief administrative officer at the TBDSSAB, said it’s important to provide affordable housing to allow people to find self-sufficiency.
Not having to worry about where to live takes a huge concern out of the day-to-day lives of residents, who will be chosen through an application process.
“It will be a big change for people who may have been in precarious housing situations previously and not able to afford a full-market rent. To be able to move into an affordable environment where the rent is geared to their income, rather than having to pay full market rent we believe will make a big difference and allow people to use more of their money toward basics, like food,” Bradica said.
The eight units are part of the TBDSSAB’s recommended 32 units detailed in its 10-year Under One Roof Housing and Homelessness plan, scheduled to be completed by 2024. Much of the cost for the affordable housing units is being borne by the TBDSSAB.
The average wait time for a new unit is about 9.5 months, one of the lowest in Ontario.
