THUNDER BAY – The province is investing $2.5 million to retrofit social housing in this region.
The announcement, part of an $82 million Green Investment Fund, will see the retrofitting of social housing buildings with more than 150 units.
The $2.5 million for this region will go to the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board, which will use the funds to retrofit Andrew’s Court apartment on the north side and the Spence Court apartments on the south side.
"Not only will this create a healthier, better housing stock, we're focusing obviously on reducing greenouse gas emissions and being more energy efficient," said Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro.
"Not only will we achieve that along with local construction work but we're very excited by what will be ongoing operational savings by the DSSAB."
DSSAB CAO Bill Bradica said his organization applied for $7 million but was surprised to receive as much money as it did.
"It's quite significant," Bradica said.
"When we did the submission, I certainly didn't expect we'd be this successful but we're very happy."
Energy audits will be conducted before and after the retrofits. Officials with the district’s DSSAB estimate the retrofit will reduce costs by 20 per cent and by 2018, it's expected to save 103 tonnes of greenhouse gases emissions.
Bradica added beyond the environmental significance, most of the upgrades were already in DSSAB's capital plan, scheduled to occur over the next two years.
No residents will be displaced during construction.
