Affordable Indigenous housing units to come to Thunder Bay

By Rick Garrick

THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and Matawa First Nations Management are building 16 housing units through about $1.7 million in provincial funding from the Social Services Relief Fund.

“It’s a Matawa Non-Profit Housing project that was funded by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services,” says David Paul Achneepineskum, CEO at Matawa First Nations Management. “It’s in an empty lot we purchased some time ago [in the East End], and we’re building a six-plex there. Three of the units are going to be for people with mobility limitations.”

Matawa, which includes Long Lake #58 among its nine communities, is receiving more than $1.3 million in provincial funding through a partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services to help build six two-bedroom affordable housing units for people who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis.

“It’s much-needed housing and hopefully Ontario will provide more housing of this type,” Achneepineskum says. “We’re happy that we got funded and we’re going to be seeking more resources and hopefully we will get more projects.”

The two-bedroom apartments include full three-piece bath/shower facilities, in-unit laundry areas with hook-ups, a fridge and stove, open concept kitchen/dining and living room areas, and separate entrances.

“The capacity for change we can create by working together with our government and community partners continues to strengthen,” says Cora McGuire-Cyrette, board chair at OAHS and Executive Director at Ontario Native Women’s Association. “With the collective efforts of the Ontario Government, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, and Matawa Non-Profit Housing Corporation, this development will help serve Indigenous people in need of safe and affordable housing, and I only hope these continued partnerships increase that capacity for change.”

Dilico, which has a service area that includes eight Anishinabek Nation First Nations, is receiving about $400,000 in provincial funding through the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) to help build 10 transitional housing units for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.

“Dilico Anishinabek Family Care welcomes the support of Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund,” says Kristine Stasiuk, assistant director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Dilico. “Providing a supportive housing environment that is geared for young people entering adulthood is a priority and Dilico is committed to ensuring young people have an adequate range of housing and support services to meet their unique needs. We are excited to be able to provide this service and believe filling this gap will result with healthier young Indigenous adults who have more personal protective factors and improved independent living skills.”

Residents in the transitional housing units will have access to safe substance-free accommodation with supports appropriate for longer-term treatment of substance use, and programming will also be available for the residents’ family members who need a safe supportive environment to address substance use and those who require additional support following addiction treatment.

“On behalf of the TBDSSAB Board of Directors, we are so pleased to announce another transitional housing project with our partners at Dilico,” says Jody Davis, vice chair at TBDSSAB. “Transitional housing offers tenants the supports they need, when and where they need them. Partnerships with organizations like Dilico make it possible to offer transitional housing. We are grateful to Dilico and the province of Ontario for helping address the need for transitional housing options in our district.”

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing, says the projects will help relieve everyday hardships for the most vulnerable people in the community.

“With smart investments and targeted solutions, our government is helping our youth get the services and housing they need to get back on their feet,” Holland says.