North Bay group seeks $8M to renovate affordable housing units

A group in North Bay is seeking almost $8 million to fund badly needed renovations to affordable housing in the city.

A community service in North Bay that helps people in need of independent living, affordable housing, and health care – PHARA – is looking for nearly $8 million in immediate funding to renovate a large affordable housing structure on Massey Drive.

The group is pushing all levels of government for financial aid for what it describes as a critical housing project.

PHARA is an accredited, award-winning, partnership-based non-profit charitable organization who has provided services in North Bay and surrounding area for more than 50 years.

The building provides rental options, including geared-to-income rent, subsidized rent, market rent and numerous units designated for assisted living services.

“We’re hoping and we believe that a hero will come forward from the municipality or the government to ensure that PHARA can make these homes stay for generations,” said PHARMA CEO Mike Van der Vlist.

Currently, about 80 people live in the 48-unit structure. The campaign, called ‘Save Massey: Everyone and Every-body Deserves a Home,’ seeks $7.9 million for immediate structural repairs that were identified in the fall.

The work includes ensuring heating systems are up to standard.

“The last meeting we had was for the total cost estimation was just this past Tuesday and so we needed to move forward as quickly as we could,” Van der Vlist said.

He said a lack of affordable housing is a significant challenge here at home and right across Ontario.

“Everyone recognizes there is a housing crisis across the entire country, in this province and in our own municipality,” Van der Vlist said.

“I believe the money will come forward.”

A 2017 auditor general’s report highlighted the possible loss of tens of thousands of affordable housing units, and how thousands of units are unused due to the lack of repairs.

PHARA is working with engineers and architects and has already secured $1.2 million from Ontario Health and District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) through multiple grant opportunities.

DNSSAB said it couldn’t comment due to contractual agreements is has with the Ministry of Health.

The City of North Bay released this statement:

“While the city has not been approached with a specific funding request, we understand that PHARA has been working with (DNSSAB), which is the appropriate agency for social housing in our district.”

PHARA aims to go to tender in the coming weeks and begin repairs by early summer, with the hope that all current families can be temporarily relocated to existing PHARA units.

“We will continue to fight to fund the funding,” Van der Vlist said.

For more information about PHARA, including how to donate to support the campaign, click here.