Heather Latter
To help address the need of providing safe, affordable housing to aboriginal people living off-reserve, Wahkaihganun Futures Corp. yesterday held the “ground-breaking” for a 10-unit apartment complex, which will be located at 237 Eighth St. W.
“We have long recognized that the urban aboriginal population is growing,” noted Peggy Loyie, secretary/treasurer of Wahkaihganun Futures Corp.
“And we are very excited over the current development.”
The board has been working for several years towards developing aboriginal housing in Fort Frances.
Funding for the new rental apartment is provided through the First Nation, Inuit, Métis Urban and Rural Housing program being administered by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS).
OAHS was allocated funds by the Ontario government.
Several dignitaries were on hand for yesterday’s “ground-breaking,” including Janet Hope (assistant deputy minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing), Don McBain (executive director with OAHS), Sheila McMahon (board member of OAHS), Connie Calder (president of Wahkaihganun Futures Corp.), and Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis.
The ceremony originally was scheduled to take place at the site but was moved to the United Native Friendship Centre due to inclement weather.
“We look forward to celebrating the opening of these units together,” Hope said on behalf of Municipal Affairs and Housing minister Rick Bartolucci.
“Together with our aboriginal partners, we are improving access to adequate, suitable, and affordable housing for off-reserve aboriginal people,” he noted in a press release.
“As part of our ‘Open Ontario’ plan, construction of these 10 units will stimulate the local economy by providing jobs and supporting local businesses.”
“These 10 units won’t solve the problem,” conceded McBain. “But it is a step in the right direction.
“And we look forward to build on this new development.”
Construction on the apartment complex is expected to begin in early July and be completed in November.
Wahkaihganun Futures Corp. is a related company to Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corp., with the same board of directors.
The Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corp. was founded in 1986 as non-profit organization, which works to provide affordable housing for families and individuals of native ancestry.
