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Liberals celebrate local affordable housing initiative

Liberal party celebrates first affordable housing initiative in Thunder Bay in 27 years.
Donald Street - affordable housing complex
The affordable housing complex located on Donald Street. (Michael Charlebois, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY - It has been almost three decades since a building like the one located at 1100 Donald St. has been built.

An affordable housing complex, one which mayor Keith Hobbs says has been a priority in Thunder Bay, is the first of its kind to be constructed in 27 years.

“It’s pretty amazing,” said Don Rusnak, the MP of Rainy River.

Affordable housing was the largest financial commitment outlined in the 2017 budget. The Liberals set aside $11.2 billion for cities and affordable housing providers to provide affordable housing.

The opening of the Donald Street building coincided with seven other newly-built housing developments across Northwestern Ontario.

To date, the federal and provincial government have provided $10.8 million in funding.

“We can see the work that is able to be accomplished between the levels of government,” MP Bill Mauro said. “We feel excited by having a federal partner.”

The aim of the developments is to provide affordable housing for seniors, disabled, and Indigenous peoples.

So far, the results have shown. It was announced at the conference that seven shelter clients have been housed in the last two months.

“This is exactly why I went into politics,” MP Patty Hajdu said. “When you take care of people who need a safe place to live, who need a hand up, who need better training…. The entire community benefits.”

Jordan Dumouchelle recently moved in to the Donald Street building. After spending years battling homelessness, Dumouchelle is looking forward to a fresh start.

“It took me a few weeks to adjust to it,” said Dumouchelle. “I’d always be walking, and I couldn’t stay in.”

“[Affordable housing] is a fundamental component of wellness,” Hajdu said. “If people don’t have a place to stay, they can’t move forward in the next steps.”

With this component in place, Dumouchelle is looking to move forward.

“I’m working on getting my children back, and getting my diploma,” Dumouchelle said. “I want to be a dad. I want to be the dad I never had.”

Dumouchelle said it feels like he is finally on solid ground.

 



Michael Charlebois

About the Author: Michael Charlebois

Michael Charlebois was born and raised in Thunder Bay, where he attended St. Patrick High School and graduated in 2015. He attends Carleton University in Ottawa where he studies journalism.
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