The federal government unveiled $14. 8 million Tuesday for nine Indigenous housing projects in seven communities.
The Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) received the funds, to be distributed to projects across the province and run by local Indigenous friendship centres.
Justin Marchand, CEO of the OAHS, said it’s an area that has needed increased funding for some time.
“In Ontario, we need over 22,000 … housing units for urban Indigenous people who don’t have access to safe, affordable housing,” Marchand said.
The funds include North Bay’s 30-bed Suswin Village, which has been in operation since summer 2023. A 58-bed facility is being constructed on Thunder Bay’s Junot Avenue.
“We’ve got some plans in Sudbury,” Marchand said.
“It’s a little preliminary at this point in time, but we do have plans for a couple hundred units.”
In the Sault, $750,000 will go to a supportive housing facility.
Marchand said it’s similar to transitional housing but wrapped in a blanket.
“A blanket that wraps itself around the person,” he said.
“Community that wraps itself around that person, and provides supports, whether it be health, education, employment, whatever that individual, whatever their particular challenges are at the moment.”
Sault MP Terry Sheehan said the new facility will make a big difference in the community.
“It’s 30 housing units, but they’ll also have the support of the Indigenous Friendship Centre,” Sheehan said.
“As people begin to rebuild their lives, they’ll move out. They’ll find their own housing, which then gives an opportunity for 30 new people.”
The total cost of the Sault facility is also $14.8 million and includes funding from six different envelopes from both upper levels of government.
The former Air-Dale Flying Services plot of land on River Road will be the location for the 30-bed space.
Cathy Syrette, executive director of the Sault Indigenous Friendship Centre, said the project will help a population that is underserved locally.
“There are not as many services for our men in the community,” Syrette said.
“Everything is for women and children, which is wonderful. I support that 100 per cent. But there’s very limited services for our men.”
She said that the added support for homeless Indigenous men will impact the whole community.
“Since it’s geared to our Indigenous men who are, you know, facing incarceration, who are dealing with mental health and addictions, domestic violence and so on and so forth, I think it will take some of the pressure off of the social agencies that we have,” Syrette said.
Groundbreaking for the supportive housing facility is scheduled for May, with the facility expected to open in August 2026.
